Characterization of circadian function in Djungarian hamsters insensitive to short day photoperiod.

Djungarian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus sungorus) depend mainly on day length to cue seasonal adjustments. However, not all individuals respond to short day conditions. A previous study from this laboratory proposed that nonresponsiveness to short day conditions rests with a defect in the circadian organization of these hamsters. In this study we found pronounced differences between responsive and nonresponsive hamsters in the expression of circadian rhythmicity under constant darkness and under constant illumination. While responsive hamsters showed a free-running activity pattern with a period of 23.86 +/- 0.04 h and responded to brief light pulses with the expected phase delays and phase advances, nonresponsive hamsters exhibited a period of 24.04 +/- 0.05 h and responded to light pulses with phase advances. Furthermore, 9 out of 15 responsive hamsters showed a clear split in the activity pattern within 8 weeks under constant light (80-100 lux), while only 1 of the 7 nonresponsive hamsters exhibited a split activity pattern. As a result of these differences in circadian function, nonresponsive Djungarian hamsters are incapable of proper photoperiod time measurement and photoperiod-induced seasonality.