[Characteristics of the reproduction of Djungarian hamsters in captivity and spontaneous tumors].

Breeding behavior and fertility of the Djungarian hamster (D. h.) -- Phodopus sungorus campbelli Th-during 8 years (1966-1973) have shown that this hamster species is a suitable laboratory animal. The decline of breeding in winter months, observed in the first years of maintaining D. h. in our laboratory, became less pronounced in the last three years. D. h. seems to be resistant to common infections of laboratory animals. The only infection observed in D. h. was on outbreak of trichophytosis which was successfully liquidated. Spontaneous tumors developed in 130 of 1277 D. h. (10%). Mammary carcinoma, squamous cancer of the skin and lung tumors prevailed. In the recent years, the incidence of mammary carcinoma became higher, whereas the frequency of skin tumors was decreased.