[The attraction of Campbell (Phodopus campbelli) and Djungarian (Phodopus sungorus) hamster pups to the odor of the secretion from specific complexes in the corners of the mouth of the mother].

The hamsters, Phodopus campbelli and Ph. sungorus have additional sacculi at the opening of the cheek pouches. The secretion of additional sacculi is very important for normalization of some aspects of the hamsters' physiology, as well as growth and development of pups, and also for chemical communication. We studied the role of the mother's additional sacculi secretion in mother-youngs interaction. It was shown that this secretion is most attractive for pups of both species from 6th to 11th day after the birth. During this period the pups begin to consume solid food but their own complexes only begin to form. Hence, pups may use the mother's additional sacculi as an additional (and may be the main) source of the secretion at this time. The difference in behavioral patterns of pups of the two studied species suggests some specific features of postnatal ontogenesis of additional sacculi.