The clinical outcome of infection with Leishmania species of the subgenus Viannia in hamster model (Mesocricetus auratus) has shown to be different depending on experimental protocol. Body weight has been a relevant determinant of the clinical outcome of the infection in hamsters with visceral leishmaniasis but its importance as a clinical parameter in hamsters with cutaneous leishmaniasis is n...

Clearance of microfilariae from the circulation of hamsters infected with Dipetalonema viteae was demonstrated following passive transfer of serum obtained from hyperinfected hamsters. The exclusion fraction after gel filtration of this serum on Sephacryl S 200 also cleared microfilariae whereas the other fractions did not. There was no clearance with serum taken during the pre-patent, patent o...

Siberian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus) undergo reproductive involution following exposure to short winter day lengths. Following approximately 20 weeks of exposure to short day (SD) lengths, hamsters become refractory to the inhibitory effects of SD, and reproductive competence is restored in anticipation of spring. The extent to which changes in gonadal steroid-dependent and -independent regula...

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is one of the most severe clinical manifestations as it leads to death in 90% untreated cases. The liver, spleen and bone marrows are organs affected; however, Leishmania parasites able reach intestines where gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) located. Under physiological conditions, gastrointestinal tract GALT interact with enteric nervous system (SNE); there no ...

Background: Even though tumours are considered to occur frequently in pet hamsters, there is only a small number of scientific reports current literature. Methods: Pathological from 177 hamsters were evaluated. Results: Of these, 78 male and 75 female. Median age affected was 12 months (range 2–34). Integumental the most common neoplasms (62%, 109/177). As far as species known, Syrian (52%, 30/...

In most parts of the world, environmental conditions vary in a predictable seasonal manner. Thus, seasonal variation in reproductive timing and immune function has emerged in some species to cope with disparate seasonal demands. During the long days of spring and summer when food availability is high and thermoregulatory demands low, Siberian hamsters invest in reproduction, whereas during the ...

Avian paramyxoviruses (APMVs) are frequently isolated from domestic and wild birds throughout the world and are separated into nine serotypes (APMV-1 to -9). Only in the case of APMV-1, the infection of non-avian species has been investigated. The APMVs presently are being considered as human vaccine vectors. In this study, we evaluated the replication and pathogenicity of all nine APMV serotyp...

The catecholaminergic neuronal activity and the densities of alpha-1 and beta adrenoceptors and angiotensin II receptors were simultaneously determined in BIO 53.58, a model of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy, and F1B control hamsters. Further, we examined the effect of repeated p.o. administration of metoprolol on these biochemical parameters. Compared with F1B control hamsters, there was a ...

KILHAM~ found that hamsters inoculated intracerebrally (i.c.) with sub-lethal doses of rat virus (RV) during the first few weeks of life developed a number of abnormalities. The symptoms produced by the virus, which was originally isolated from rats bearing spontaneous or transplantable tumors, included stunted growth, malformed teeth,2 broadened facial bones, and protrusions of the eyes and to...

BACKGROUND The effects of chronic exercise training on myocardial contractility and beta-adrenergic signal transduction in hearts with left ventricular dysfunction have not been determined. METHODS AND RESULTS Fourteen-week-old cardiomyopathic BIO 53.58 and normal F1B Syrian hamsters underwent 10 weeks of treadmill training and were compared with 24-week-old BIO 53.58 and F1B untrained contro...