AUTHOR=McGlone John J. , Archer Courtney , Henderson Madelyn 

TITLE=Interpretive review: Semiochemicals in domestic pigs and dogs

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Veterinary Science

VOLUME=Volume 9 - 2022

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2022.967980

DOI=10.3389/fvets.2022.967980

ISSN=2297-1769

ABSTRACT=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. Dogs and pigs have olfactory features that are similar in that they both lack certain olfactory organs (Grenenburg ganglion and Septal Organ) and they have a small vomeronasal organ (VNO) without a major class of receptors (no V2R in either species). The primary olfactory organs for both pigs and dogs are the main olfactory epithelium and perhaps the trigeminal nerve. The pig and dog have high levels of olfactory acuity related primarily to their extensive MOE. 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 attempt to define the terms semiochemicals, pheromones, interomones and others and then determine if the evidence is sufficient to call certain semiochemicals a pheromone. For example, the mouse alarm pheromone is well defined scientifically, however, dog pheromones are sold that cannot rightly be called a pheromone (even though they can be highly effective) while some pig pheromones have been confirmed. Here we review mixed, largely negative (but some positive), scientific reports of the efficacy of some products labeled as “pheromones” that are more appropriately called semiochemicals. We also show that 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.