Male-female interaction throughout the oestrous cycle of the Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus).
Interactions between male and female hamsters over the oestrous cycle were measured in terms of proximity. Independent variations in approaching and leaving by the female were found over the four-day period. Changes in female behaviour, which could be related to known changes in her hormonal state, resulted in changes in the male-female interaction not only at oestrous but also within the three dioestrous days of the cycle. These changes were in the amount of time the animals spent together or apart; this in turn was affected by which sex initiated the approaches and leaves. During oestrus proximity measures correlated well with latency to first lordosis which is a sensitive measure of degree of receptivity. Proximity measures provide a detailed description of the male-female interaction and should prove useful in studying the effects of experimental alteration of previous experience and hormonal state.
D000818:Animals; D006224:Cricetinae / Q000502:physiology*; D004971:Estrus; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008647:Mesocricetus / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal