Importance of the Olphactory Environment in the Laboratory Animal Science

Abstract

The 3 rd R, the refinement is receiving more and more attention. The optimazing of the auditory and olphactory environment of the laboratory animals is essential, because the environmental smells influence the behaviour and occasionally the epigenetics of mammals. According to the characteristics of the smell substances a chemical map is developed in the olphactory bulb. The vomeronasale organ (VNO) has an important role in the pheromonetransfered communication [1]. The VNO is expressing specific major histocompatibility genes, too. In horses and felidae a specific behaviour form, the Flehmen-reaction facilitates pheromone molecules to get the VNO. The intraspecific communication is attained by means of the pheromones, especially in the social and sexual relations. The kairomones are functioning in the communication between species. The interomones are smell compounds influencing the behaviour or physiology of other species, with or without a positive or negative effect for the releaser. Some interomes may decrese the stress of other species [2], having a significance of animal welfare.