Asynchrony in the estrous cycles of golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus)

The golden hamster has been described as exhibiting estrous cycle synchrony caused by social dominance. This has recently been reexamined by J. C. Schank (2000, Horm. Behav. 38, 94-101) with the aid of computer simulations. He concluded that there is no evidence for cycle synchrony among golden hamsters. In the present article we confirm this theoretical approach with the help of long-term experiments. Indeed, estrous cycle asynchrony was observed. Singly housed female golden hamsters in phase with their neighbors and in physical contact desynchronized their 4-day cycles after 2 or 3 weeks. Asynchrony was caused mainly by stochastic 5-day cycles. Statistical analysis was performed using a Monte-Carlo bootstrap approach. Based on the empirical data, an individual-based computer model was developed to simulate the dynamics of cycle desynchronization. Potential advantages were deduced for the population level. It emerged that estrous cycle asynchrony led to higher reproductive success for females where the probability of fertilization was low (e.g., after hibernation, poor habitat).