Chang Xiaoqi, Gao Jiping, Yang Junting, Ma Yunhui, Song Guohua
The Laboratory Animal Center, Shanxi Medical University, No 56 Xinjian South Road, Taiyuan 030001, P.R. China.
Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanxi Medical University, No 56 Xinjian South Road, Taiyuan 030001, P.R. China.
Exp Anim. 2025 Jan 10;74(1):1-15. doi: 10.1538/expanim.24-0029. Epub 2024 Aug 28.
Hamsters are valuable rodent models that are distinct from mice and rats. Currently, the main hamster species used for experimental research are the Syrian golden hamster and Chinese hamster, in addition to hamster species from other countries. Chinese hamsters are small, easy to run and feed, and inexpensive. They are prominent species found only in China and are part of the experimental animal resources of Chinese specialty. Chinese hamsters are distinguished by a black stripe on their back, short tail, pair of easily retractable cheek pouches, and pair of large drooping testes in males with 22 chromosomes. Due to their unique anatomical structure and biological features, Chinese hamsters have been used as a model in biomedical research. Moreover, the breeding and use of Chinese hamsters was comprehensively studied in 1958, with significant breakthroughs. We present a thorough review of the current developments and applications of Chinese hamsters and support the use of this species as a suitable and innovative experimental research model. With the success of Chinese hamster transgenic technology, this species will become more commonly employed in biological and medical research in the future.
仓鼠是有别于小鼠和大鼠的珍贵啮齿类动物模型。目前，除其他国家的仓鼠品种外，用于实验研究的主要仓鼠品种是叙利亚金黄地鼠和中国仓鼠。中国仓鼠体型小，易于饲养和繁殖，成本低廉。它们是仅在中国发现的独特品种，是中国特色实验动物资源的一部分。中国仓鼠的特征是背部有一条黑色条纹、尾巴短、有一对易于收缩的颊囊，雄性有一对大而下垂的睾丸，有22条染色体。由于其独特的解剖结构和生物学特性，中国仓鼠已被用作生物医学研究的模型。此外，1958年对中国仓鼠的繁殖和使用进行了全面研究，并取得了重大突破。我们对中国仓鼠的当前发展和应用进行了全面综述，并支持将该品种用作合适且创新的实验研究模型。随着中国仓鼠转基因技术的成功，该品种未来将在生物学和医学研究中得到更广泛的应用。
