Understanding Sow Sexual Behavior and the Application of the Boar Pheromone to Stimulate Sow Reproduction

McGlone, John J.; Aviles-Rosa, Edgar O.; Archer, Courtney; Wilson, Meyer M.; Jones, Karlee D.; Matthews, Elaina M.; Gonzalez, Amanda A.; Reyes, Erica Muñiz

doi:10.5772/intechopen.90774

Cited by 12 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 45 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Pheromones play major role in reproduction in mammals (13,7,9), however, a few studies have demonstrated the pheromone synthesis molecular pathways and their specified role in reproduction. In this study, two putative sex pheromones (androstenone and androstenol) which we identified in mouse deer showed that mouse deer P450C17 gene possess an andien-β-synthase activity to transform pregnenolone to 5,16-androstadien-3β-ol, Although he 5,16-androstadien-3β-ol is considered to be an intermediate and precursor in the 16 androstene pathway leading to the biosynthesis of androstenone and androstenol (34).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In mammals, the pheromone plays various important roles in distantly related species such as in social interactions and organization (2), sexual attraction (3), communication between mother and offspring (4), dominance and aggregation behaviour (5), scent marking and territorial behaviour (6). Pheromones are known to influence the secretion of gonadotropin hormones, testosterone, and luteinizing hormones in mice (7), Sea lampreys (8), and sows (9). A significant relationship between pheromones and reproductive hormones in pigs (10) and Asian elephants (11) was observed.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Discovery of Boar Pheromones and their Functional Role in Reproduction of Mouse Deer (<em>Moschiola Indica</em>)

Kumar¹,

Manu²,

Caroline³

et al. 2022

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Two putative boar pheromones (Androstenone and Androstenol) were discovered in endangered mouse deer during captive breeding program. This study further examined the molecular characteristics, pheromone synthesis pathway, and the functional role of these pheromones in reproduction of mouse deer. CYP17A1 and CYB5 genes were cloned and expressed in HEK-293, COS-7 cell lines and gonads of mouse deer to investigate CYP17A1 gene’s andien-β-synthase activity towards synthesis of sex pheromones in mouse deer. An enzyme immunoassay was also developed and standardized to measure the fecal androstenone during reproductive cycles of mouse deer. Results showed that mouse deer’s CYP17A1 gene possesses andien-β-synthase activity and could transform pregnenolone into 5,16-androstadien-3β-ol. The expression of CYP17A1 gene upregulated in the testis and ovary, compared to other tissues in mouse deer. Significantly elevated pheromones and estrogens were recorded prior to delivery and postpartum estrus / mating in mouse deer. Further, there were weak correlations between fecal pheromones and estrogens/ androgens in mouse deer during breeding season. The findings suggest that the boar pheromones might play a direct role in the reproductive activities of mouse deer which might be used for breeding of mouse deer elsewhere.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Discovery of Boar Pheromones and their Functional Role in Reproduction of Mouse Deer (<em>Moschiola Indica</em>)

Kumar¹,

Manu²,

Caroline³

et al. 2022

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Unfortunately, there is a paucity of data on the length of time considered adequate for the SOA to diffuse. Despite the pig having a highly developed sense of smell, we know relatively little about the pig’s olfactory system and how pheromones affect their behaviour [ 26 , 27 ]. Ideally, more research is required to understand the role of olfactory organs in the pig and how different pheromone delivery mechanisms and length of exposure can influence the outcome.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Synthetic Olfactory Agonist Use in the Farrowing House to Reduce Sow Distress and Improve Piglet Survival

Terry

Nowland

Wettere

et al. 2021

Animals

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The aim of the study was to investigate if the application of a synthetic olfactory agonist (SOA) would reduce indicators of stress in sows, in response to a stressor prior to parturition, and if it would improve farrowing house performance of sows and their piglets. Two studies were conducted: an intensive study with 47 sows, either having their first or second litter (Control n = 24; SOA n = 23); and a commercial validation study with 418 sows, either having their first litter or have had multiple litters (Control n = 210; SOA n = 208). Within the intensive study, sows were housed with or without a synthetic olfactory agonist suspended in the creep area of the farrowing crate, whereas within the commercial validation study, sows were housed with or without a synthetic olfactory agonist suspended over the adjoining creep area of two farrowing crates. Within the intensive study, despite a discernible increase in cortisol concentration in response to a stressor (snout rope test), cortisol response was not different between treatments (p > 0.05). Farrowing duration in first-litter sows exposed to the SOA was decreased (p < 0.001) whilst there was no impact on farrowing duration in second litter sows. Piglets were not attracted by the SOA to increase their utilisation of the creep area and spent more time in proximity to the sow (p < 0.05). Within the commercial validation study, no impacts were seen on piglet production measures (p > 0.05). Largely the use of an SOA within the farrowing house did not impact the sow or her piglets in either the intensive study or commercial validation study. Based on these current results, the use of SOA within the farrowing house is not supported.

show abstract

“…The olfactory organs were reviewed by others in recent years and so here we provide a simplified overview. See other reviews that go into more detail on olfactory organs ( 13 , 14 ).…”

Section: Organs That Sense Semiochemicalsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The domestic pig has an extensive MOE and a functional Trigeminal sensory neurons and a VNO, but the GG and SO have not been found in the domestic pig ( 14 ). The pig VNO has only V1R receptors, but it does not have V2R or FPR receptors ( 18 , 24 ).…”

Section: Semiochemicals In Domestic Pigsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Interpretive review: Semiochemicals in domestic pigs and dogs

McGlone

Archer²,

Henderson³

2022

Front. Vet. Sci.

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This interpretive review includes discussion of the available scientific literature with interpretations by the authors. The broad field of semiochemicals can be confusing to scientists and consumers. This review attempts to summarize the known scientific studies for pig and dog semiochemicals while at the same time attempting to refine our use of terminology. The specific objectives of this interpretive review are to summarize and interpret much of the key scientific literature (but not the lay literature) on semiochemicals in pigs and dogs to include (1) definitions of semiochemicals and related molecules including pheromones, (2) to briefly summarize olfactory organs, and (3) and to examine the scientific literature for semiochemical mechanisms and applications in dogs and pigs (two domesticated species with known olfactory acuity). Dogs and pigs have olfactory features that are similar in that they both lack certain olfactory organs (Grueneberg ganglion and Septal Organ) and they have a small vomeronasal organ (VNO) without some major receptors that are found in other species. The primary olfactory organs for both pigs and dogs are the main olfactory epithelium and perhaps the trigeminal nerve. Several examples of pheromones activating the brain via the MOE or Trigeminal nerve rather than the VNO challenge the concept that the VNO is the site of pheromone sensing. We believe it is not appropriate to label something a pheromone when evidence is not available to show that it is a pheromone. We offer definitions for the terms semiochemicals, pheromones, interomones and others and then determine if the evidence is sufficient to call certain semiochemicals a pheromone. Here we review mixed, largely negative, scientific reports of the efficacy of some products labeled as “pheromones” that are more appropriately called semiochemicals. Interomones can have a more powerful effect on dog behavior and physiology than semiochemicals marketed as pheromones. Because marketing of semiochemicals is far ahead of the science, bringing some logic and uniformity to the field will benefit animals and hopefully cause less consumer confusion. Semiochemicals have the potential to offer powerful solutions to behavioral problems using more naturally occurring molecules.

show abstract

Understanding Sow Sexual Behavior and the Application of the Boar Pheromone to Stimulate Sow Reproduction

Cited by 12 publications

References 45 publications

Discovery of Boar Pheromones and their Functional Role in Reproduction of Mouse Deer (<em>Moschiola Indica</em>)

Discovery of Boar Pheromones and their Functional Role in Reproduction of Mouse Deer (<em>Moschiola Indica</em>)

Synthetic Olfactory Agonist Use in the Farrowing House to Reduce Sow Distress and Improve Piglet Survival

Interpretive review: Semiochemicals in domestic pigs and dogs

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About