114 GENETIC STOCKS AND BREEDING METHODS 



IV. HAMSTERS 



During the past several years, there has been considerable interest in the use of 

 hamster species in mammalian genetic research. Consequently, several inbred strains 

 have been established, and a number of additional strains have been developed. The 

 Syrian (golden) hamster, Mesocricetus auratus, has been used most, but through the 

 research of Dr. G. Yerganian (see his paper elsewhere in this volume) the Chinese 

 hamster, Cricetulus griseus, has proved to be a desirable animal for research. Information 

 on the location and status of genetic stocks of these two species is included in this section. 



As recommended for rats and guinea pigs, the adoption for hamsters of (1) the 

 rules recommended by the Committee on Standardized Nomenclature for Inbred 

 Strains of Mice, and (2) the symbols herein used, is urged. Since the basic genetic 

 principles involved in inbreeding hamsters are probably the same as in mice, there is 

 no reason why such definitions and rules cannot be applied equally well. The 

 symbols indicated in the listings conform for the most part to rules for mice. The 

 system of numbers used by Dr. Rae Whitney is not in conformity, but since there has 

 been no opportunity to discuss possible changes with Dr. Whitney, the strains are listed 

 as submitted. Perhaps changes can be made in a revised listing at a later date. Most 

 of the descriptions are abbreviated, probably because not much is known about any 

 of the strains. Future revisions undoubtedly will contain more specific information. 

 The abbreviation of names listed at the end of the section were checked with all the 

 other lists to avoid duplications. 



Table 34 



Established strains of Syrian hamsters f 

 (Mesocricetus auratus) 



Name or 

 Symbol Synonym(s) Remarks 



H inbr: F 39 . origin: O. Muhlbock, 1949, from noninbred stock 



obtained from Hagedoorn. charac: no information submitted. 

 maintained by: A. 



HL inbr: F 2 i. origin: O. Muhlbock, 1955, from noninbred stock 



obtained from Horning, charac: no information submitted, main- 

 tained by: A. 



MX MxBU inbr: F 32 . origin: H. Magalhaes from a noninbred commercial 



colony, charac: small-medium body size, small litters (4-5 av.), 

 coat color agouti, maintained by: Mg. 



W WBU inbr: F 27 . origin: H. Magalhaes from a noninbred commercial 



colony, charac: small litters (5 + av.), white mottled coat in fe- 

 males only, sex modified lethal (?) trait in males, maintained by: 

 Mg. 



5-1 inbr: F 23 . origin: Department of Biology, Boston University, 1950, 



from Ingham stock, to R. Whitney at F 12 , 1956. charac: slow to 

 breed, senile at one year of age, some males show testicular atrophy, 

 some females fail to ovulate, agouti, black eyes, maintained by: Wh. 



t A list of abbreviations follows table 37. 



