« Previous AbstractDevelopment of a novel odor measurement system using gas chromatography with surface acoustic wave sensor    Next AbstractComparison of volatile constituents of Persicaria odorata(Lour.) Sojak (Polygonum odoratum Lour.) and Persicaria hydropiper L. Spach (Polygonum hydropiper L.) »

Neuroscience

Title:		"Cat odor, but not trimethylthiazoline (fox odor), activates accessory olfactory and defense-related brain regions in rats"
Author(s):		Staples LG; McGregor IS; Apfelbach R; Hunt GE;
Address:		"School of Psychology, University of Sydney, Griffith Taylor Building (A18), NSW 2006, Australia. l.staples@unsw.edu.au"
Journal Title:		Neuroscience
Year:		2008
Volume:		20071204
Issue:		4
Page Number:		937 - 947
DOI:		10.1016/j.neuroscience.2007.11.039
ISSN/ISBN:		0306-4522 (Print) 0306-4522 (Linking)
Abstract:		"Cat odor and trimethylthiazoline (TMT, a component of fox feces) are two stimuli widely used in rodent models of fear and anxiety. Recent studies suggest that these odorants have distinct behavioral effects, raising questions as to whether TMT is a true 'predator odor.' Here we used c-Fos immunohistochemistry to compare patterns of neural activation produced by cat odor and TMT. Rats were exposed to either (1) three pieces of a collar that had been worn by a domestic cat, (2) three collar pieces impregnated with TMT (30 microl/piece), (3) three collar pieces impregnated with 4% formaldehyde (200 microl/piece, an acrid but non-predatory odor), or (4) three control (no odor) collar pieces. Odors were presented in a small well-ventilated plastic box. All odorants (cat odor, TMT and formaldehyde) produced increased defecation in rats compared with the control group, and formaldehyde exposure also decreased rearing. Cat odor increased contact with the stimulus relative to all other groups, while TMT increased contact compared with the formaldehyde and clean air groups. Only cat odor decreased grooming and elicited escape attempts. In addition, only cat odor caused pronounced activation of Fos in the accessory olfactory bulb and its projection areas, anterior olfactory nucleus, medial prefrontal cortex, striatum, and a medial hypothalamic circuit associated with defensive behavior. In contrast, the only areas activated by TMT were the internal granular layer of the main olfactory bulb and central amygdala, while both cat odor and TMT activated the glomeruli of the main olfactory bulb, piriform cortex, ventral orbital cortex and anterior cortical amygdala. Results indicate that the effects of cat odor and TMT are easily distinguished both behaviorally and at a neural level, and suggest that TMT lacks the 'pheromone-like' quality of cat odor that engages key hypothalamic sites involved in defensive behavior"
Keywords:		"Aggression/*physiology Analysis of Variance Animals Behavior, Animal Brain/*metabolism Cats Escape Reaction/*physiology Foxes Male *Odorants Olfactory Bulb Olfactory Pathways/physiology Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos/metabolism Rats Smell/drug effects/*phy;"
Notes:		"MedlineStaples, L G McGregor, I S Apfelbach, R Hunt, G E eng Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't 2008/01/19 Neuroscience. 2008 Feb 19; 151(4):937-47. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2007.11.039. Epub 2007 Dec 4"