Visual behavior of the Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus)

The somatic chromosomes of the Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus).

Tyrosinase (Tyr) Gene Mutation in Albino Mongolian Gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus)

Tyrosinase is encoded by the Tyr (c or albino) locus and is the key enzyme in pigment biosynthesis. Loss of function of this enzyme caused by gene mutation results in albinism. Most cases of albinism are caused by missense mutations of tyrosinase. Albino mutations in Tyr have been identified in various animals, including human, mouse, rat, rabbit, cattle, cat, and ferret, but not in gerbil. We ...

Light deprivation induces depression-like behavior and suppresses neurogenesis in diurnal mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus).

Recent evidence suggests that adult neurogenesis contributes to the pathophysiology of different psychiatric disorders, including depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and schizophrenia. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a specific form of recurrent depressive disorder that can be induced by shortened light period. It is unclear yet whether neurogenesis is affected in SAD or under altered l...

Recurrent Inhibition to the Medial Nucleus of the Trapezoid Body in the Mongolian Gerbil (Meriones Unguiculatus)

Principal neurons in the medial nucleus of the trapezoid body (MNTB) receive strong and temporally precise excitatory input from globular bushy cells in the cochlear nucleus through the calyx of Held. The extremely large synaptic currents produced by the calyx have sometimes led to the view of the MNTB as a simple relay synapse which converts incoming excitation to outgoing inhibition. However,...

Investigation of the Bruce effect in the Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus).

Strange males and females blocked implantation in recently mated female Mongolian gerbils. Even the presence of the partner male failed to annul the influence. The females were, however, affected only when not lactating (e.g. in first pregnancies or when a litter had died). Pregnancies could also be ended by alterations of the caging conditions, but there were quantitative differences between s...