Reproduction and Longevity in the Hamster and Rat

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Abstract
The Syrian hamsters differs from the rat in that the male has a longer average lifespan than the female. The difference is highly significant statistically. Bred females have a shorter lifespan than do unbred females but females exposed to vasectomized males, and thus possible pseudopregnant, do not. Rats from a large sized, fast growing strain have significantly longer average lifespans than do those of a smaller, slower growing strain; this is in all categories except unbred and bred females in which the length of life is curtailed by the high incidence of mammary and ovarian tumors in the fast growing strain. Females of this strain exposed to the chance of pseudopregnancy di; not differ from unbred females in their average lifespan. In the slower growing strain pregnancy shortened the average lifespan. It follows that pregnancy in itself, not the persistence of corpora lutea, shortens the lifespan.

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