Über den Einfluss von Schall auf die tagesperiodische Aktivität des goldhamsters

Abstract

The influence of periodic sound programs on the runningwheel activity of the golden hamster was investigated. The hamsters were kept in constant darkness in sound‐isolated boxes (insulation up to 80 dB). Random white noise was used; the frequency ranging from 50 Hz to 15 kHz or up to 50 kHz with an intensity of mostly about 90 dB re 0,0002 dyn/cm².

1. White noise synchronizes the activity rhythm in some cases in a manner which can be described as “relative coordination”. This is also true for less monotonous sound (music). Frequencies outside the human audible range (ultra‐sound, infra‐sound) probably do not influence the activity of the golden hamster.

2. There are some directly sound‐induced effects: the delay of activity onset and the termination of activity at the moment of noise onset, both described as “masking”. The amount of activity is often reduced during sound presentation. Activity may even be lacking totally during shorter sound periods indicating that the golden hamster prefers silence.

3. The sound‐induced delay of the activity onset was taken as a measure for the influence of duration, intensity, and frequency of the noise. Processes in the sense organ and in the nervous system seem to influence the activity directly.

Abstracting keywords:

• Circadian rhythm
• cycles
• Golden Hamsters
• sound effect on cycles
• ultra‐sound

Notes

I. Zoologisches Institut der Universität Göttingen, Berliner Strasse 28, 34 Göttingen, Germany.