Hamsters
Hamsters have deep folds (pouches) in their cheeks, enabling tooth caries to form easily. Therefore, hamsters can be used to study caries and dental health.
Hamsters have also been used in cancer research since they have a weaker immune defence in their cheek pouches. Tumour cells, for example from humans, can be implanted in hamsters´ cheek pouches. Because their immune defence is weak, the tumours are not rejected.
Hamsters hibernate during the winter and have enough brown fat to maintain body heat. Heat production from fat cells, mitochondria, can therefore be studied easily in hamsters. Infants also have considerable brown fat, and hamsters can be used to understand how humans stay warm.
Hamsters hibernate during the winter and have enough brown fat to maintain body heat. Heat production from fat cells, mitochondria, can therefore be studied easily in hamsters. Infants also have considerable brown fat, and hamsters can be used to understand how humans stay warm.
Text: Karin Nordin
References
- John Bräutigam, veterinarian, Swedish Board of Agriculture
- Helena Elofsson, Fil. Dr. Zoology, Swedish Board of Agriculture
- Anne Halldén Waldemarson, University veterinarian at Karolinska Institutet
- Torgny Jeneskog, University veterinarian at Umeå university
- Karl-Gustav Jacobsson, University veterinarian at Uppsala university
Responsible for content: Mats Ulfendahl, Secretary General of Medicine and health, Swedish Research Council.
Editor: Peter Tillhammar, Swedish Research Council. Contact: Send email to the editorial staff.
Editor: Peter Tillhammar, Swedish Research Council. Contact: Send email to the editorial staff.
