1
|
Salamon A, Baranya E, Zsiros LR, Miklósi Á, Csepregi M, Kubinyi E, Andics A, Gácsi M. Success in the Natural Detection Task is influenced by only a few factors generally believed to affect dogs' olfactory performance. Sci Rep 2024; 14:12351. [PMID: 38811746 PMCID: PMC11137087 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-62957-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Research into dogs' olfactory ability is growing rapidly. However, generalising based on scientific results is challenging, because research has been typically conducted on a few specially trained subjects of a few breeds tested in different environmental conditions. We investigated the effects of temperature and humidity (outdoors), age, test location, sex, neutering status, and repeated testing (outdoors and indoors) on the olfactory performance of untrained family dogs (N = 411) of various breeds. We employed the Natural Detection Task with three difficulty levels, from which we derived two performance metrics: Top Level and Success Score. Temperature (0-25 °C) and humidity (18-90%) did not affect olfactory performance. Young adult dogs surpassed other age groups in reaching the Top Level. Sex and neutering status showed no discernible influence on Top Level and Success Score. Dogs performed better in both metrics when tested indoors compared to outdoors. In the test-retest procedure no significant learning effect was observed. We confirmed on untrained companion dogs that olfactory performance declines with age and rejected some factors that have been previously hypothesised to significantly affect dogs' olfactory success. The influence of the testing environment was notable, emphasising the need to consider various factors in understanding dogs' olfactory capabilities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Attila Salamon
- HUN-REN-ELTE Comparative Ethology Research Group, Budapest, Hungary.
- ELTE NAP Canine Brain Research Group, Budapest, Hungary.
- Department of Ethology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary.
- Hungarian Ethology Foundation, Göd, Hungary.
| | - Eszter Baranya
- ELTE NAP Canine Brain Research Group, Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Ethology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - László Róbert Zsiros
- ELTE NAP Canine Brain Research Group, Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Ethology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Ádám Miklósi
- HUN-REN-ELTE Comparative Ethology Research Group, Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Ethology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Melitta Csepregi
- HUN-REN-ELTE Comparative Ethology Research Group, Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Ethology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
- Doctoral School of Biology, Institute of Biology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Enikő Kubinyi
- ELTE NAP Canine Brain Research Group, Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Ethology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
- MTA-ELTE Lendület "Momentum" Companion Animal Research Group, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Attila Andics
- ELTE NAP Canine Brain Research Group, Budapest, Hungary
- Neuroethology of Communication Lab, Department of Ethology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Márta Gácsi
- HUN-REN-ELTE Comparative Ethology Research Group, Budapest, Hungary
- ELTE NAP Canine Brain Research Group, Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Ethology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
- Hungarian Ethology Foundation, Göd, Hungary
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Prévot V, Duittoz A. A role for GnRH in olfaction and cognition: Implications for veterinary medicine. Reprod Domest Anim 2023; 58 Suppl 2:109-124. [PMID: 37329313 DOI: 10.1111/rda.14411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Pulsatile secretion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is essential for the activation and maintenance of the function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, which controls the onset of puberty and fertility. Two provocative recent studies suggest that, in addition to control reproduction, the neurons in the brain that produce GnRH are also involved in the control postnatal brain maturation, odour discrimination and adult cognition. Long-acting GnRH antagonists and agonists are commonly used to control fertility and behaviour in veterinary medicine, primarily in males. This review puts into perspective the potential risks of these androgen deprivation therapies and immunization on olfactory and cognitive performances and well-aging in domestic animals, including pets. We will also discuss the results reporting beneficial effects of pharmacological interventions restoring physiological GnRH levels on olfactory and cognitive alterations in preclinical models of Alzheimer's disease, which shares many pathophysiological and behavioural hallmarks with canine cognitive dysfunction. These novel findings raise the intriguing possibility that pulsatile GnRH therapy holds therapeutic potential for the management of this behavioural syndrome affecting older dogs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Prévot
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Laboratory of Development and Plasticity of the Neuroendocrine Brain, Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, UMR_S1172, Lille, France
| | - Anne Duittoz
- Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements (PRC) UMR7247 INRA, CNRS, Centre INRAE Val de Loire, IFCE, Université de Tours, Nouzilly, France
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Gouzerh F, Ganem G, Pichevin A, Dormont L, Thomas F. Ability of animals to detect cancer odors. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2023; 1878:188850. [PMID: 36528192 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2022.188850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The olfactory capacity of animals has long been used by humans to help with various activities, e.g., hunting, detecting mines, locating people, and diagnosing diseases. Cancer is among the leading diseases causing death worldwide. Several recent studies have underscored the benefit of using scent to detect cancer, and this paper will review the studies using animals to detect tumor scents. A large variety of animals have been used for this purpose-dogs, rodents, insects, and nematodes-and have shown their capacity to detect cancer, with a success rate close to 90%. Here we discuss these studies, their methodologies, and the animal models used. Finally, we discuss the medical perspectives for cancer diagnosis using odors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Flora Gouzerh
- Centre de Recherches Écologiques et Évolutives sur le Cancer, Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs: Ecologie, Génétique, Evolution et Contrôle, UMR IRD 224- CNRS 5290- Université de Montpellier, 34394 Montpellier, France; Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive, Université́ de Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE, IRD, Université Paul Valéry Montpellier 3, 34293 Montpellier, France.
| | - Guila Ganem
- Institut des Sciences de l'Evolution, ISEM, Université Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, 34095 Montpellier, France
| | - Anaïs Pichevin
- Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive, Université́ de Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE, IRD, Université Paul Valéry Montpellier 3, 34293 Montpellier, France
| | - Laurent Dormont
- Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive, Université́ de Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE, IRD, Université Paul Valéry Montpellier 3, 34293 Montpellier, France
| | - Frédéric Thomas
- Centre de Recherches Écologiques et Évolutives sur le Cancer, Maladies Infectieuses et Vecteurs: Ecologie, Génétique, Evolution et Contrôle, UMR IRD 224- CNRS 5290- Université de Montpellier, 34394 Montpellier, France
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Santariová M, Polónyiová A, Svobodová I, Procházková R, Chaloupková H. Comparison of the performance of German Shepherds and Belgian Shepherd Malinois in scent detection tests. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2022.105823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
|
5
|
Hart LA, Hart BL. An Ancient Practice but a New Paradigm: Personal Choice for the Age to Spay or Neuter a Dog. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:603257. [PMID: 33816584 PMCID: PMC8017224 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.603257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Extensive practice and knowledge of the methods and effects of castration of male livestock and even humans has been widespread since ancient times, but only a few decades ago did neutering (including spaying) become a routine part of canine husbandry. In the US, the 6-month neuter became standard practice. Only recently, however, have some of the consequences of this major physiological alteration become evident. As the data-based study on 35 breeds reveals, there are major breed differences associated with effects of neutering, especially with early neutering, including increased risks of joint disorders and some cancers. The study of mixed-breed dogs reveals that the risk of joint disorders is increased in the large dogs. Implications of breed-specific and sex-specific effects for age of neutering have prompted the consideration of a new paradigm with regard to this practice. This involves focusing on each individual dog when deciding upon the appropriate age of neutering to avoid increasing the risk of a joint disorder or cancer above that inherent for the breed. For many breeds, particularly the smaller dogs, no effects were found for the age of neutering on joint disorders and the cancers followed. In these cases, the caregiver has a wide range of choice for neutering without increasing the dog's risk for these diseases. In the future, additional research may reveal more about other increased risks for age-related cognitive dysfunction or elevated levels of luteinizing hormone caused by gonad removal, and lead to revised guidelines.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lynette A Hart
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Benjamin L Hart
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| |
Collapse
|