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Animals
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Animal Behavior: Insights into Chemical Communication
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Animal Behavior: Insights into Chemical Communication

A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Human-Animal Interactions, Animal Behaviour and Emotion".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2021) | Viewed by 82624

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Alessandro Cozzi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institut de Recherche En Sémiochimie Et Éthologie Appliquée (IRSEA), Quartier Salignan, 84400 Apt, France
Interests: animal behavior; animal physiology; semiochemistry; pheromonotherapy in animals (companion, farm and wild species); animal welfare;behavioral medicine; chemical communication
Dr. Pietro Asproni

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institut de Recherche En Sémiochimie Et Éthologie Appliquée (IRSEA), Quartier Salignan, 84400 Apt, France
Interests: animal pathology; animal physiology; semiochemistry; histology; immunohistochemistry; chemical ecology; molecular pathology; chemical communication
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Chemical communication is a common and crucial way to communicate for every creature, both vertebrates and invertebrates, of the animal kingdom. Chemical communication is in a strong relationship with several behavioral and physiological mechanisms in every living being. In recent decades, the attention of researchers has been focused on investigating the mechanisms of action of chemical signals in the animal kingdom; disciplines like molecular biology and bioinformatics are helping toward new discoveries regarding the chemical communication world. Further, new studies on the pathology of organs involved in chemical communication have increased our knowledge around fundamental concepts in this topic. Studies on the applications of synthetic pheromones and their effects on the welfare of different species are also more and more developed. Pheromonotherapy is now a worldwide topic in veterinary behavioral medicine and different applications exist for companion, farm animals, and wild species to manage or prevent efficiently stressful situations and behavioral disorders.

Chemical messages are present and studied in different aspects of animal and human life (reproduction, territory, alarm, appeasement, social behavior, etc.), in order to better understand the role that these compounds play for different species. Measuring the effects of these messages helps us to understand better the potential applications of chemical communication in animals’ lives: to facilitate the adaptation process during different daily life situation or phases of life, to favor the cohabitation between individuals of the same or different species, to facilitate the management of animal welfare issues, and to help control in case of behavioral disorders in pets and farm animals.

Different effects are described on the behavior and physiology of different species. For all these reasons, greater attention should be focused on the study of the mechanisms of action, the role in the natural condition of chemical messages and on the development of chemical messages that can be applied in different situations. In this context, the promotion of appropriate knowledge about fundamental concepts around chemical communication and the application of semiochemicals in the animal kingdom could be very interesting in order to facilitate the natural emission of different behaviors of animals and to guarantee an appropriate level of welfare.

For these reasons, interdisciplinary studies and reviews will be taken into account for this Special Issue, especially ones regarding (but not limited to):

(1) Mechanisms of action of semiochemicals in animals;

(2) Pathology of organs involved in the secretion and in the perception of semiochemicals;

(3) The influence of chemical communication in the life of animals: reproduction, territorial behavior, social behavior, appeasement behavior, maternal behavior;

(4) Physiological and behavioral changes/effects linked to the use of synthetic analogues of semiochemicals in companion, farm, and wild species;

(5) Chemical communication to fight against animals’ external parasites;

(6) Welfare implications of the use of semiochemicals in animal kingdom. 

Dr. Alessandro Cozzi
Dr. Pietro Asproni
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Animals is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • adaptation
  • animal behavior
  • animal pathology
  • animal physiology
  • behavioral medicine
  • chemical communication
  • chemical ecology
  • companion animals
  • farm animals
  • parasitology
  • pheromones
  • pheromonotherapy
  • semiochemicals
  • welfare
  • wild animals

Published Papers (11 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 782 KiB  
Article
Group Reunion in Zoo European Wildcats Using Cat Appeasing Pheromone (CAP) and Gradual Release of the Animals in the Exhibit—A Case Study
by Valentina Bertoni, Caterina Spiezio, Barbara Regaiolli, Alessandro Cozzi, Paola Valsecchi and Simona Normando
Animals 2022, 12(10), 1302; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12101302 - 19 May 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1621
Abstract
The union or reunion of animals with social groups can be a challenging situation, and little has been published about it when solitary species are concerned. Therefore, the aim of the present study was two-fold: (1) to advocate the need for systematic publications [...] Read more.
The union or reunion of animals with social groups can be a challenging situation, and little has been published about it when solitary species are concerned. Therefore, the aim of the present study was two-fold: (1) to advocate the need for systematic publications about strategies and the outcomes of reunion episodes in zoos and other facilities; and (2) to describe the behaviour of European wildcats (Felis silvestris silvestris) during one such episode, in which a female cat was reintroduced into her family social group using a gradual reunion procedure and cat appeasing pheromone (CAP) (spot-on). The study comprised three periods: the pre-reunion period (10 days, 20 sessions per wildcat), the post-reunion period (A, 5 days, 10 sessions per wildcat; B, 5 days, 10 sessions per wildcat) and the late-reunion period (5 days, 10 sessions per wildcat). In the post-reunion periods, all wildcats were together in the enclosure and were spotted with CAP pheromone. Per period, we collected data on individual and social behaviours. Individual behaviours, such as attention and self-grooming, were performed more in the pre-reunion than in the post-reunion period. Regarding social behaviours, we found that agonistic behaviours were performed more in the pre-reunion than in the post-reunion period. We observed behavioural changes over the course of the study, with behavioural patterns of the late-reunion periods resembling those of the pre-reunion period. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Animal Behavior: Insights into Chemical Communication)
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13 pages, 4741 KiB  
Article
From In Vitro Data to In Vivo Interspecies Danger Communication: A Study of Chemosensing via the Mouse Grueneberg Ganglion
by Ana Catarina Lopes, Julien Brechbühl, Flavio Ferreira, Marjorie Amez-Droz and Marie-Christine Broillet
Animals 2022, 12(3), 356; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12030356 - 01 Feb 2022
Viewed by 1776
Abstract
In the wild, mice have developed survival strategies to detect volatile cues that warn them of potential danger. Specific olfactory neurons found in the Grueneberg ganglion olfactory subsystem can detect alarm pheromones emitted by stressed conspecifics, as well as kairomones involuntarily released by [...] Read more.
In the wild, mice have developed survival strategies to detect volatile cues that warn them of potential danger. Specific olfactory neurons found in the Grueneberg ganglion olfactory subsystem can detect alarm pheromones emitted by stressed conspecifics, as well as kairomones involuntarily released by their predators. These volatile chemical cues allow intra- and interspecies communication of danger, respectively. Alarm pheromones, kairomones and bitter taste ligands share a common chemical motif containing sulfur or nitrogen. Interestingly, three specific bitter taste receptors (TAS2Rs) have been found in the Grueneberg ganglion neurons that are implicated in danger signalling pathways. We have recently developed a TAS2R–expressing heterologous system that mimics the Grueneberg ganglion neuron responses after kairomone stimulation. Here, we demonstrated by in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo experiments that the biological secretions from the raccoon (Procyon lotor) and the skunk (Mephitis mephitis) were acting as potent sources of kairomones. They activated the Grueneberg ganglion neurons and induced fear-related behaviours in mice. Identification of new sources of semiochemicals is a first step towards an understanding of the interspecies danger communication that takes place in the Grueneberg ganglion. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Animal Behavior: Insights into Chemical Communication)
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9 pages, 15201 KiB  
Article
Is There a Link between Vomeronasalitis and Aggression in Stable Social Groups of Female Pigs?
by Pietro Asproni, Eva Mainau, Alessandro Cozzi, Ricard Carreras, Cécile Bienboire-Frosini, Eva Teruel and Patrick Pageat
Animals 2022, 12(3), 303; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12030303 - 26 Jan 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2443
Abstract
The vomeronasal organ (VNO) is a bilateral chemosensory structure strongly involved in animal behaviour, thanks to its sensory epithelium (VNSE) that detects pheromones. Experimental VNO lesions can impair social, reproductive and maternal behaviour, while feline spontaneous vomeronasalitis has been associated with aggression. This [...] Read more.
The vomeronasal organ (VNO) is a bilateral chemosensory structure strongly involved in animal behaviour, thanks to its sensory epithelium (VNSE) that detects pheromones. Experimental VNO lesions can impair social, reproductive and maternal behaviour, while feline spontaneous vomeronasalitis has been associated with aggression. This study aimed to describe vomeronasalitis in farm pigs and explore its association with intraspecific behavioural alterations. Using 38 six-month-old pigs, the skin lesion score based on Welfare Quality® protocols was obtained during the fattening period. The seventy-six VNOs from these pigs were stained in haematoxylin-eosin for histological examinations. VNSE inflammation was classified considering its intensity. Skin lesions data were compared to vomeronasalitis. There were 34% of pigs that showed unilateral VNSE inflammation, while 66% were bilaterally affected. The mean ± SD number of skin lesions/animal was 4.4 ± 2.82, and 34% of pigs scored 1 (moderately wounded animals) at least once during the fattening period. Statistical analysis showed an association between bilateral vomeronasalitis and skin lesion score (p < 0.05) and between bilateral moderate vomeronasalitis and skin lesions number (p < 0.01). This is the first report linking vomeronasalitis to social life in farm animals. Considering the role of social life in animal welfare, our data opens a research field linking pathology to animal behaviour. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Animal Behavior: Insights into Chemical Communication)
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12 pages, 1671 KiB  
Article
Sex Differences in Mouse Exploratory Behaviour to Fel d 1, a Cat ABP-Like Protein
by Carlos Grau, Cécile Bienboire-Frosini, Sana Arroub, Céline Lafont-Lecuelle, Julien Leclercq and Patrick Pageat
Animals 2021, 11(11), 3149; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11113149 - 04 Nov 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 4991
Abstract
Fel d 1 is a cat protein abundantly released and found in their habitat and is closely related to mouse androgen-binding proteins (ABPs). We hypothesized that mice have developed chemical communication mechanisms to detect and avoid this protein. We tested purified natural Fel [...] Read more.
Fel d 1 is a cat protein abundantly released and found in their habitat and is closely related to mouse androgen-binding proteins (ABPs). We hypothesized that mice have developed chemical communication mechanisms to detect and avoid this protein. We tested purified natural Fel d 1, a fox faeces molecule (TMT) as a positive control, and a negative control (purified water) in three different mouse groups (n = 14 each) to evaluate exploratory behaviour and stress responses. The mice did not show clear avoidance or stress responses to Fel d 1. Our results demonstrated a sex-treatment interaction for Fel d 1, with males spending more time in the areas treated with Fel d 1 than in the untreated areas (p = 0.018). This sex-treated area interaction was also not observed for either the blank or TMT. These results suggest that Fel d 1 from domestic cats could be recognized differently by male and female mice. These sex differences could be linked to the sexual role of ABP proteins and the ABP-like characteristics of Fel d 1. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Animal Behavior: Insights into Chemical Communication)
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17 pages, 1959 KiB  
Article
Sexual Dimorphism in Crowned Lemur Scent-Marking
by Emily J. Elwell, David Walker and Stefano Vaglio
Animals 2021, 11(7), 2091; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11072091 - 14 Jul 2021
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 4259
Abstract
Primates are traditionally considered to have a poor sense of smell. However, olfaction is important for non-human primates as demonstrated by conspicuous scent-marking behaviours in lemurs. We studied two pairs (n = 4) of crowned lemurs (Eulemur coronatus) housed at [...] Read more.
Primates are traditionally considered to have a poor sense of smell. However, olfaction is important for non-human primates as demonstrated by conspicuous scent-marking behaviours in lemurs. We studied two pairs (n = 4) of crowned lemurs (Eulemur coronatus) housed at Colchester and Twycross zoos (UK) by combining behavioural observations and chemical analyses of scent-marks and glandular swabs. We recorded observations of olfactory behaviours for 201 h using instantaneous scan sampling. We investigated the volatile compounds of ano-genital odour secretions (n = 16) using solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Males scent-marked most frequently, displaying ano-genital marking for allomarking, head marking for countermarking and wrist marking in specific areas of the enclosure. Females displayed ano-genital marking, predominantly on feeding devices. We detected a total of 38 volatile components in all male ano-genital scent-marks and 26 in all female samples of ano-genital odour secretions, including a series of esters, aldehydes, ketones, alcohols, terpenes, volatile fatty acids and hydrocarbons that have been identified in odour profiles of other primates. In conclusion, we found sexual dimorphism in crowned lemur scent-marking. Male head and wrist marking behaviours might play defensive territorial functions, while ano-genital marking would be related to socio-sexual communication as chemical mate-guarding. Female ano-genital marking might be involved in resource defense. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Animal Behavior: Insights into Chemical Communication)
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8 pages, 396 KiB  
Communication
Administering an Appeasing Substance to Gir × Holstein Female Dairy Calves on Pre-Weaning Performance and Disease Incidence
by Beatriz Angeli, Bruno Cappellozza, José Luiz Moraes Vasconcelos and Reinaldo Fernandes Cooke
Animals 2020, 10(11), 1961; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10111961 - 24 Oct 2020
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2101
Abstract
(1) Background: Ruminants often face stressful situations throughout their productive lives. More specifically, pre-weaning dairy calves are exposed to novel environments, feedstuffs, and pathogens that affect their health and performance. Hence, alternatives that reduce stress and promote growth of pre-weaning dairy calves are [...] Read more.
(1) Background: Ruminants often face stressful situations throughout their productive lives. More specifically, pre-weaning dairy calves are exposed to novel environments, feedstuffs, and pathogens that affect their health and performance. Hence, alternatives that reduce stress and promote growth of pre-weaning dairy calves are warranted. Therefore, this study evaluated the effects of biweekly bovine appeasing substance (BAS) administration on performance and disease incidence in dairy Gir × Holstein female calves prior to weaning. (2) Methods: At birth, 140 female Gir × Holstein calves were randomly assigned to receive BAS (SecureCattle; (IRSEA Group, Quartier Salignan, France; n = 70) or placebo (BAS carrier, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether; CON; n = 70) biweekly until weaning (70 days of age). Calves were allocated into individual housing at random, with no physical contact between treatments to avoid cross-contamination. Experimental treatments (5 mL) were applied topically to the nuchal skin area of each calf. Throughout the experimental period, all animals were observed daily for medical conditions (diarrhea, pneumonia, and others), medical/pharmacological interventions were recorded, and the costs related to these procedures were analyzed. Concurrently with treatment application, calves were individually weighed, and data were analyzed using animal as the experimental unit. (3) Results: Treatment × day and treatment × period (14-day interval) interactions were observed for body weight (BW) and average daily gain (ADG; p ≤ 0.05), respectively. Calves receiving BAS had greater BW at weaning (p = 0.02) and tended to have a greater BW on day 56 (p = 0.06). Similarly, ADG was greater for BAS from days 42 to 56 (p = 0.04) and tended to be greater from days 56 to weaning (p = 0.10). No differences were observed on the overall occurrence of diseases (p = 0.92), whereas the most common observed diseases were diarrhea and pneumonia. The incidence and mean age at which animals were detected with these diseases did not differ (p ≥ 0.46). Nonetheless, CON calves detected with disease had a reduced ADG vs. BAS-administered counterparts (p < 0.01). No differences were observed between disease-diagnosed BAS vs. healthy CON, but healthy BAS had a greater ADG vs. healthy CON (p = 0.03). A treatment effect was observed for the cost per head of each pharmacological intervention (p = 0.05). (4) Conclusions: In summary, BAS administration at a 14-day interval improved performance and reduced the costs of pharmacological interventions of pre-weaning Gir × Holstein dairy calves. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Animal Behavior: Insights into Chemical Communication)
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Review

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29 pages, 4268 KiB  
Review
The Neurobiology of Behavior and Its Applicability for Animal Welfare: A Review
by Genaro A. Coria-Avila, James G. Pfaus, Agustín Orihuela, Adriana Domínguez-Oliva, Nancy José-Pérez, Laura Astrid Hernández and Daniel Mota-Rojas
Animals 2022, 12(7), 928; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12070928 - 04 Apr 2022
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 11581
Abstract
Understanding the foundations of the neurobiology of behavior and well-being can help us better achieve animal welfare. Behavior is the expression of several physiological, endocrine, motor and emotional responses that are coordinated by the central nervous system from the processing of internal and [...] Read more.
Understanding the foundations of the neurobiology of behavior and well-being can help us better achieve animal welfare. Behavior is the expression of several physiological, endocrine, motor and emotional responses that are coordinated by the central nervous system from the processing of internal and external stimuli. In mammals, seven basic emotional systems have been described that when activated by the right stimuli evoke positive or negative innate responses that evolved to facilitate biological fitness. This review describes the process of how those neurobiological systems can directly influence animal welfare. We also describe examples of the interaction between primary (innate) and secondary (learned) processes that influence behavior. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Animal Behavior: Insights into Chemical Communication)
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14 pages, 341 KiB  
Review
Understanding the Role of Semiochemicals on the Reproductive Behaviour of Cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus)—A Review
by Alexia Tommasi, Jacek A. Koziel, Annelin H. Molotsi and Giulia Esposito
Animals 2021, 11(11), 3140; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11113140 - 03 Nov 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2994
Abstract
The cheetah species (Acinonyx jubatus) is currently listed as vulnerable according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Captive breeding has long since been used as a method of conservation of the species, with the aim to produce a healthy, [...] Read more.
The cheetah species (Acinonyx jubatus) is currently listed as vulnerable according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Captive breeding has long since been used as a method of conservation of the species, with the aim to produce a healthy, strong population of cheetahs with an increased genetic variety when compared to their wild counterparts. This would then increase the likelihood of survivability once released into protected areas. Unfortunately, breeding females have been reported to be difficult due to the age of these animals. Older females are less fertile, have more difficult parturition, and are susceptible to asymmetric reproductive aging whereas younger females tend to show a significantly lower frequency of mating behaviour than that of older females, which negatively affects breeding introductions, and therefore mating. Nonetheless, the experience from breeding methods used in some breeding centres in South Africa and the Netherlands, which also rely on the role that semiochemicals play in breeding, proves that cheetahs can be bred successfully in captivity. This review aims to give the reader an in-depth overview of cheetahs’ reproductive physiology and behaviour, focusing on the role that pheromones play in this species. Furthermore, it aims to provide new insight into the use of semiochemicals to improve conservation strategies through captive breeding. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Animal Behavior: Insights into Chemical Communication)
27 pages, 1056 KiB  
Review
Canine Olfaction: Physiology, Behavior, and Possibilities for Practical Applications
by Agata Kokocińska-Kusiak, Martyna Woszczyło, Mikołaj Zybala, Julia Maciocha, Katarzyna Barłowska and Michał Dzięcioł
Animals 2021, 11(8), 2463; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11082463 - 21 Aug 2021
Cited by 44 | Viewed by 36893
Abstract
Olfaction in dogs is crucial for gathering important information about the environment, recognizing individuals, making decisions, and learning. It is far more specialized and sensitive than humans’ sense of smell. Using the strength of dogs’ sense of smell, humans work with dogs for [...] Read more.
Olfaction in dogs is crucial for gathering important information about the environment, recognizing individuals, making decisions, and learning. It is far more specialized and sensitive than humans’ sense of smell. Using the strength of dogs’ sense of smell, humans work with dogs for the recognition of different odors, with a precision far exceeding the analytical capabilities of most modern instruments. Due to their extremely sensitive sense of smell, dogs could be used as modern, super-sensitive mobile area scanners, detecting specific chemical signals in real time in various environments outside the laboratory, and then tracking the odor of dynamic targets to their source, also in crowded places. Recent studies show that dogs can detect not only specific scents of drugs or explosives, but also changes in emotions as well as in human cell metabolism during various illnesses, including COVID-19 infection. Here, we provide an overview of canine olfaction, discussing aspects connected with anatomy, physiology, behavioral aspects of sniffing, and factors influencing the olfactory abilities of the domestic dog (Canis familiaris). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Animal Behavior: Insights into Chemical Communication)
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23 pages, 773 KiB  
Review
Appeasing Pheromones for the Management of Stress and Aggression during Conservation of Wild Canids: Could the Solution Be Right under Our Nose?
by Pia Riddell, Monique C. J. Paris, Carolynne J. Joonè, Patrick Pageat and Damien B. B. P. Paris
Animals 2021, 11(6), 1574; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11061574 - 27 May 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 7627
Abstract
Thirty-six species of canid exist globally, two are classified as critically endangered, three as endangered, and five as near threatened. Human expansion and the coinciding habitat fragmentation necessitate conservation interventions to mitigate concurrent population deterioration. The current conservation management of wild canids includes [...] Read more.
Thirty-six species of canid exist globally, two are classified as critically endangered, three as endangered, and five as near threatened. Human expansion and the coinciding habitat fragmentation necessitate conservation interventions to mitigate concurrent population deterioration. The current conservation management of wild canids includes animal translocation and artificial pack formation. These actions often cause chronic stress, leading to increased aggression and the suppression of the immune and reproductive systems. Castration and pharmaceutical treatments are currently used to reduce stress and aggression in domestic and captive canids. The undesirable side effects make such treatments inadvisable during conservation management of wild canids. Pheromones are naturally occurring chemical messages that modulate behaviour between conspecifics; as such, they offer a natural alternative for behaviour modification. Animals are able to distinguish between pheromones of closely related species through small compositional differences but are more likely to have greater responses to pheromones from individuals of the same species. Appeasing pheromones have been found to reduce stress- and aggression-related behaviours in domestic species, including dogs. Preliminary evidence suggests that dog appeasing pheromones (DAP) may be effective in wild canids. However, the identification and testing of species-specific derivatives could produce more pronounced and beneficial behavioural and physiological changes in target species. In turn, this could provide a valuable tool to improve the conservation management of many endangered wild canids. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Animal Behavior: Insights into Chemical Communication)
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Other

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12 pages, 275 KiB  
Case Report
The Case of Atypical Sexual Attractiveness in a Male Domestic Dog—A Case Study
by Martyna Woszczyło, Antoni Szumny, Jacek Łyczko, Tadeusz Jezierski, Paulina Krzemińska, Izabela Szczerbal, Marek Świtoński, Wojciech Niżański and Michał Dzięcioł
Animals 2021, 11(11), 3156; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11113156 - 04 Nov 2021
Viewed by 3262
Abstract
During the ovarian cycle in domestic dogs, females do not accept males during the first days of estrus but become attractive to males from the beginning of proestrus, with this attractiveness persisting until the end of the estrus phase. It is believed that [...] Read more.
During the ovarian cycle in domestic dogs, females do not accept males during the first days of estrus but become attractive to males from the beginning of proestrus, with this attractiveness persisting until the end of the estrus phase. It is believed that increased estradiol is responsible for the female attractiveness to the males. In this paper we describe the case of strong, but atypical attractiveness of a castrated male to various, adult, intact males, influenced by the emitted semiochemical signals. Any significant changes in the level of hormones typically involved in the process connected with estrus and responsible for sexual arousal in the males were assessed. The case animal was a 4 year old castrated male Border Collie that was extremely attractive to various males, which presented high levels of sexual arousal, with intensive sniffing and licking of the preputial area, specific vocalization, increased salivation and, finally, mating attempts. Clinical examination of the castrated male revealed a lack of testes in the scrotum and abdominal cavity confirmed by USG. Laboratory tests indicated basal levels of estradiol, testosterone, and progesterone (15.23 pg/mL, <0.05 ng/mL, 0.25 ng/mL), and sex was confirmed via cytogenetic and molecular analysis. Chemical analysis (HS-SPME) of the urine indicated a huge similarity to the profile obtained from a bitch in estrus, with an elevated level of acetophenone, which has been previously postulated in the literature as being a characteristic of the estrus phase in female domestic dogs. This case presented very atypical sexual attractiveness, particularly when taking into account the basal levels of hormones which, according to current knowledge, are responsible for the creation of attractiveness. As a hypothesis requiring verification, we propose the idea of involvement of other hormones in the creation of incidental attractiveness or increased production of compounds responsible for attractiveness (sex pheromones) resulting from metabolic events unrelated to reproductive processes. To our knowledge it is the first described case presenting this phenomenon, which, with more detailed study, could shed new light on the process of creation of sexual attraction in the domestic dog. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Animal Behavior: Insights into Chemical Communication)
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