Pheromones and behaviour of rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus): a review
Submitted: 2024-11-27
|Accepted: 2025-07-19
|Published: 2025-09-30
Copyright (c) 2025 Renato Barrionuevo, Jacobo Álvarez, Antía Acción, Uxía Yáñez, Pablo Sánchez-Quinteiro, Paulino Martínez, Paula R. Villamayor, Juan J. Becerra, Ana I. Peña, Pedro G. Herradón, Luis A. Quintela
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
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Keywords:
rabbit, pheromone receptors, chemical communication, reproduction, Leporidae
Supporting agencies:
This publication is part of the I D i proyect grant PID2021-127814OB-I00 funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by “ERDF A way of making Europe”. PRV and UY were supported by research fellowships funded by Xunta de Galicia (Fulbright postdoctoral fellowship ED481B-2023-091, and postdoctoral fellowship ED481B-2024-033, respectively).
Abstract:
Pheromones are defined as substances released by an individual that have a specific influence on physiology, behaviour or development with another individual of the same species. Currently, the term pheromone is used in various disciplines, from psychology to electrophysiology, or to describe various chemosensory stimuli. The present literature review describes the main pheromone receptors and sources in rabbits, including the vomeronasal organ and the olfactory bulb; the main pheromone-producing glands are also described, such as the chin, anal, Harderian, mammary and the brown inguinal, as well as the urine as the major source for pheromonal communication. This review also provides a comprehensive examination of the role of pheromones in rabbit behaviour, integrating perspectives from physiology, behaviour and practical applications in rabbit farming. It delves into the mechanisms of pheromone action by discussing the main receptors and production sites, categorising pheromones in an orderly manner according to their functional roles in rabbits. Additionally, the review synthesises current research on pheromone influence, while highlighting both ecological implications and welfare improvements. By addressing these topics with scientific depth and practical relevance, this work offers an insightful understanding of rabbit pheromones and their diverse roles.
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