Comparative studies of blood from hibernating and nonhibernating European hamsters (Cricetus cricetus L).

The blood of 6 male and 6 female European hamsters (Cricetus cricetus L) was examined in summer, in winter before hibernation, and 1 da after awaking from hibernation. Blood was drawn from a sublingual vein under ether anesthesia in nonhibernating animals. No influence of hibernation upon the number of erythrocytes and the differentials was found, whereas the number of thrombocytes and leukocytes were reduced to a minimum. From the unchanged numbers of thrombocytes and leukocytes in nonhibernating animals during winter, the influence on the blood of a seasonal cycle independent of hiberation was excluded.