Representative RT–PCR data for caspase-3/β actin expression for Siberian hamsters housed in LD, or 3, 6, 9 or 12 weeks in SD (A). Mean density ± S.E.M. of caspase-3 mRNA expression normalized to β-actin expression in Siberian hamsters housed in long (LD, clear bars) and short (SD, solid bars) photoperiods (B). Groups with different letters are significantly different (P < 0.05).