Editorial on the Research Topic: Veterinary Rhinology and Emerging Insights in Olfaction

Melissa Singletary^1*Cynthia M Otto²

• ¹College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, United States
• ²University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, United States

Rhinology is the human specialty focused on the treatment of diseases of the nose and sinuses, including olfactory disorders. Veterinary rhinology, historically, has focused on diseases affecting the nasal and sinus anatomy and pathology affecting respiratory function, but has not had the tools to investigate conditions affecting the sense of smell or even normal olfaction. Increased significance is being placed on olfaction due to its relevance in biological function and its applications with a high societal impact placed on the canine species. Many studies in olfaction use rodent models, which can serve as a translational model for other species; though increasingly, applied studies are conducted within the species of interest. In this Research Topic, Veterinary rhinology and emerging insights in olfaction, six manuscripts address the function, evaluation, environmental influences, and applications in olfaction in animals with an emphasis on working animals. The underlying physiological processes that result in odor perception and recognition are complex and not fully understood. Functional anatomical studies highlighting airflow dynamics associated with odorant delivery to the olfactory regions have provided insights into the mechanical transportation of odorants in multiple animal models [1,2]. The 1991 breakthrough discovery of the G-protein coupled receptor repertoire for the olfactory receptor genes led to a series of discoveries in the olfactory signal transduction cascade [3]. Despite these groundbreaking discoveries and decades of study to follow, the ability to predict odor perception from physicochemical properties is still relatively elusive [4,5]. As the field aims to understand the molecular mechanisms involved in olfaction, new insights are shared which support the presence of an odor-evoked potassium current that mediates olfactory responses in a rodent model [6]. This special issue spans topics from basic neurophysiology to olfaction. Fundamentally, 37 functional veterinary rhinology relies on techniques and that support system 38 evaluation. The first requirement of a standardized evaluation is to understand the odor source, 39 dynamics, and presentation. second component is to provide a standardized assessment. divergence to either the sympathetico-adreno-medullary axis or the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal 81 axis) [22]. These studies provide novel applications in odor-based detection and highlight the 82 complex and dynamic of the mammalian olfactory system. 83 The field of neuroscience is concerned with of the earliest evolved senses, the sense of 85 smell. The interplay of external environmental factors, regional micro-environmental conditions, and 86 the highly integrated neural processing of the olfactory pathway lends to its complexity and 87 capability. This research topic incorporated the latest developments in veterinary rhinology from 88 basic to applied research and captured emerging insights in olfaction. Working animals provide a 89 unique window into understanding mammalian olfaction and its applications in the safety, health, and 90 security of humans and animals. Further exploration is needed in the understanding and application 91 of olfaction, as we've only scratched the surface. 92