INTRODUCTION
There are several important reasons why hamsters are used in biomedical research. One important feature of this species is that it possesses cheek pouches which allows the animal to store food. These cheek pouches also serve as a model for vascular studies because of the presence of a thin layer epithelial tissue. Hamsters are frequently used in the study of diabetes mellitus - a disease which is hereditary in hamsters.
The most common hamster used in research is the Syrian hamster or golden hamster (Mesoscricetus auratus). The Chinese hamster (Cricetulus griseus) is also frequently used.
Syrian or Golden Hamster
