Effects of superovulation on fetal development and hormone levels in the pregnant hamster

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Abstract
Treatment of hamsters [Mesocricetus auratus] with 30 iu PMSG [pregnant mare serum gonadotropin] induced ovulation of 46 ova/animal, 90% of which were fertilized. CL [corpus luteum] growth was normal. About 27 zygotes/animal implanted and at term (day 16) the litter size of the PMSG-treated hamsters was 21 compared to the normal number of 10. Parturition occurred at the normal time. Average weight at birth was about 500 mg less for young of PMSG-treated mothers than for controls. Differences were found in the serum progesterone and estradiol concentration of the treated and control hamsters, but serum FSH [follicle-stimulating hormone] and LH [luteinizing hormone] levels were similar.