The mammary pheromone of the rabbit: from where does it come?

Newborn rabbits, Oryctolagus cuniculus, are directed to their mother's nipples by specialized odour cues. Previous investigations have suggested that these cues are released from the doe's abdominal surface from structures located around the nipple. We tested pups with samples of various cutaneous tissues or fluids collected from lactating females to determine the location of the source of the odour cues. After finding that the nipples from lactating does were more attractive than those of virgin females, we conducted three experiments using skin samples collected at increasing distance from the nipples, dermal and mammary tissues taken below the nipples, and milk collected at different lev…

A variety of common odour cues and (at least) one pheromone shaping the behaviour of young rabbits: a brief survey

Many Common Odour Cues and (at Least) One Pheromone Shaping the Behaviour of Young Rabbits

Odour cues and pheromones in the mediation of rabbit female-offspring relations

Mammary olfactory signalisation in females and odor processing in neonates: ways evolved by rabbits and humans

International audience; Mammalian females have long been known to release olfactory attraction in their offspring. Mammary odor cues control infant state, attention and directional responses, delay distress responses, stimulate breathing and positive oral actions, and finally can boost learning. Here, we survey female-offspring odor communication in two mammalian species - European rabbits and humans - taken as representatives of evolutionary extremes in terms of structure and dynamics of mother-infant relations, and level of neonatal autonomy. Despite these early psychobiological differences, females in both species have evolved mammary structures combining multiple sources of endogenous a…

A mammalian pheromone that carry both releasing and reinforcing functions