The pre-pubertal infancy stage of development is marked by numerous neurological and behavioral changes in Syrian Golden Hamsters. One of the most notable changes during this period is the onset of social behaviors including social playfighting. Social playfighting is initiated approximately two weeks postpartum and is completely abolished by mid-puberty. The neural mechanisms that underlie this behavioral change are not well understood, but previous research has identified both oxytocin (OT) and serotonin (5-HT) as possible regulators of this behavior. In the present study, immunohistochemical techniques were used to evaluate changing levels of OT and serotonin 5-HT in the developing brain with the hypothesis that both OT and 5-HT levels would increase and decrease simultaneously with the onset and decline of social playfighting. Additionally, it was predicted that injections of a 5-HT3 receptor agonist, m-Chlorophenylbiguanide hydrochloride (CBG), into hamster in late infancy would reinstated social playfighting behaviors. Contrary to the hypothesis, OT was found to continually increase in the fornix, lateral hypothalamus, nucleus accumbens, medial preoptic area, and anterior hypothalamus, while 5-HT continually decreased in the lateral septal nucleus and medial preoptic area. CBG injections did not reinstate social playfighting behaviors, however a large stress effect was observed, potentially masking any other effect. Analysis of OT and 5-HT receptors during this developmental stage is necessary for a better understanding of this neural mechanism. Further research into this topic may have important implications for animal models of autism spectrum disorders. / text

published_or_final_version / Anatomy / Master / Master of Philosophy

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Thesis (M.S.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1993. / Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 109-123). Also available via the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin, 1966. / "Localization of glycogen in the opacity characterizing decidualization in the cleared hamster uterus [by] G. A. Foster, Margaret Ward Orsini and F. M. Strong, reprinted from Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine" inserted following leaf 214. Typescript. Vita. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliography.

Thesis (M. Phil.)--University of Hong Kong, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 73-89).

Thèse (M.Sc.)--Université Laval, 2003. / Bibliogr.: f. 60-63. Publié aussi en version électronique.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Boston University / The potential usefulness of the membranous cheek pouch of the hamster as an investigative tool in experimental embryology has been explored* After preliminary studies involving the transplantation of ova, morulas, and various embryonal tissues, the anterior limb buds of embryos in the eighth to eleventh day of development were chosen for intensive study.

by Joan T. Hare. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida State University. / Bibliography: leaves 55-58. / Florida State University faculty publication.