Effects of photoperiod, the pineal gland and the gonads on agonistic behavior in female golden hamsters ( Mesocricetus auratus)

Abstract

Four studies were conducted to determine the role of photoperiod, the pineal gland and the gonads in the regulation of intrasex agonistic behavior in female hamsters. In the first experiment animals maintained under Long or Short photoperiods were tested in same or opposite photoperiod pairs. Under both testing conditions, Short-day animals tended to exhibit a higher ratio of offensive to defensive behaviors, which was due primarily to a reduced level of defensive behavior in Short-day groups. In the second experiment animals under Long and Short photoperiods were tested following sham surgery or pinealectomy. Short-day sham animals exhibited the highest level of offensive behavior, the lowest level of defensive behaviors and the highest offensive/defensive ratio; pinealectomy eliminated the Short-day advantage. In the third experiment, Long-day animals receiving exogenous melatonin showed a higher level of agonistic responding than animals injected with control vehicle, indicating that Short-day effects are probably mediated through pineal melatonin. The results of the last experiment in which ovariectomy to Long-day animals was not able to mimic the effects of photoperiod or exogenous melatonin indicated that the photoperiod effects on aggression are probably not mediated through the gonads.