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Abstract
The female reproductive cycle is characterized by fluctuating hormones, including estrogens and progesterone, that are involved in reproductive health; however, they have also been linked to disorders like Premenstrual syndrome (PMS), Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), mood swings, depression and others. The goal of this study is to use the Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) as an animal model to examine the influence of the reproductive cycle and hormones on behavior. Scent-marking activity known as flank marking is exhibited by territorial or sociable animals. In essence, animals mark their territory or convey information such as reproductive status by rubbing their flanks or scent glands on the side of objects or surfaces. We hypothesize that Syrian hamsters’ social and territorial behaviors are considerably impacted by hormonal changes during the female reproductive cycle, with differences in flank marking behavior correlated with differences in estrous phase status, which corresponds to different estrogen and progesterone levels. Twenty-nine hamsters (17 males and 12 females) were used for the present study, and females were cycled six times a week to determine their estrous phase. Each subject was paired with stimulus partner of the same sex for a 10-minute social interaction test, and the social interaction was recorded using the video tracking software Any-maze. Utilizing BORIS software, social interaction recordings were scored with an inter-rater reliability (IRR) of 0.6 or higher. While none of the male Syrian hamsters flank marked during the social interactions, three of the twelve females displayed this behavior. Compared to females in proestrus (a rise in estrogen and a decrease in progesterone) and the other estrous phases, those in the diestrus phase (low in both estrogen and progesterone) displayed more flank marking. There was statistical significance in these group differences (p <= 0.05). All things considered, the finding that female hamsters show more flank marking during the diestrus phase highlights how the female reproductive cycle and their hormonal condition influences behavior/emotions. This work highlights the value of using the Syrian hamster as a model to study the behavioral effects of hormone changes and provides insights that may help develop targeted treatments for hormone-related diseases and disorders such as PMS, PMDD, and certain neuropsychiatric disorders.
Recommended Citation
Amaro Castillo, Julissa; Dominguez, Fernando; Hinojosa, Ariana; Padilla, Giselle; and Gil, Mario, "The role of the female reproductive cycle in social communication and relevance to mental health" (2025). Research Symposium. 84.
https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/somrs/2025/posters/84
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Animal Experimentation and Research Commons, Behavioral Neurobiology Commons, Endocrine System Commons, Hormones, Hormone Substitutes, and Hormone Antagonists Commons, Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience Commons, Psychology Commons, Translational Medical Research Commons
The role of the female reproductive cycle in social communication and relevance to mental health
The female reproductive cycle is characterized by fluctuating hormones, including estrogens and progesterone, that are involved in reproductive health; however, they have also been linked to disorders like Premenstrual syndrome (PMS), Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), mood swings, depression and others. The goal of this study is to use the Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) as an animal model to examine the influence of the reproductive cycle and hormones on behavior. Scent-marking activity known as flank marking is exhibited by territorial or sociable animals. In essence, animals mark their territory or convey information such as reproductive status by rubbing their flanks or scent glands on the side of objects or surfaces. We hypothesize that Syrian hamsters’ social and territorial behaviors are considerably impacted by hormonal changes during the female reproductive cycle, with differences in flank marking behavior correlated with differences in estrous phase status, which corresponds to different estrogen and progesterone levels. Twenty-nine hamsters (17 males and 12 females) were used for the present study, and females were cycled six times a week to determine their estrous phase. Each subject was paired with stimulus partner of the same sex for a 10-minute social interaction test, and the social interaction was recorded using the video tracking software Any-maze. Utilizing BORIS software, social interaction recordings were scored with an inter-rater reliability (IRR) of 0.6 or higher. While none of the male Syrian hamsters flank marked during the social interactions, three of the twelve females displayed this behavior. Compared to females in proestrus (a rise in estrogen and a decrease in progesterone) and the other estrous phases, those in the diestrus phase (low in both estrogen and progesterone) displayed more flank marking. There was statistical significance in these group differences (p <= 0.05). All things considered, the finding that female hamsters show more flank marking during the diestrus phase highlights how the female reproductive cycle and their hormonal condition influences behavior/emotions. This work highlights the value of using the Syrian hamster as a model to study the behavioral effects of hormone changes and provides insights that may help develop targeted treatments for hormone-related diseases and disorders such as PMS, PMDD, and certain neuropsychiatric disorders.
