The seasonal cycle of body weight in the Djungarian hamster: photoperiodic control and the influence of starvation and melatonin

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Abstract
Photoperiod is the primary environmental cue for seasonality in the Djungarian hamster (Phodopus sungorus). This species reduces its body weight by 30% during winter to reduce its energy requirements. The aim of this study was (1) to examine the influence of food intake on the body weight cycle and (2) to evaluate the role of photoperiod and melatonin in determining this seasonal cycle. While body weight increased slightly (7%) from August through December in long photoperiod, it dropped significantly (32%) in the natural photoperiod group and food intake gradually decreased in this group by about 20%. After two periods of 40% food restriction, the hamsters in long photoperiod rapidly returned to their initial body weight. In contrast, hamsters under natural photoperiod only gained weight until they had reached the body weight of the controls at that particular time. In a second experiment, hamsters were kept under natural photoperiod throughout the year. At 6 different intervals two groups of hamsters were implanted with melatonin capsules and transferred to either short (LD 8:16) or long photoperiod (LD 16:8). The results show that the seasonal change in body weight is caused by a combined action of photoperiod and a change in the animals' sensitivity towards photoperiod and melatonin.