Endogenous, photoperiodic and hormonal control of the body weight rhythm in the female european hamster, Cricetus cricetus

Abstract

1. 1. Body weight and hibernation rhythms were followed on normal and castrated female European hamsters raised in different conditions of photoperiod and ambient temperature. 2. 2. In the normal females, the photoperiod was more effective than the ambient temperature regarding the control of the body weight rhythm. 3. 3. In the castrated females, testosterone was more effective than oestradiol in suppressing both body weight and hibernation rhythms. 4. 4. In short photoperiod conditions, the existence of endogenous rhythmicity depends upon prior photoperiodic exposure of the animals.