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The Role of Early Olfactory Experience in the Development of Adult Odor Preferences in Rodents

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Chemical Signals in Vertebrates 11

Abstract

Mate recognition is an essential component of successful reproductive behavior, and in rodent species, is primarily guided by the perception of social odors in the environment. Importantly, there is substantial evidence that species or sexual odor preferences may be regulated by early olfactory experience, although considerable variability in the plasticity of these behaviors has been observed. The current chapter summarizes what is known regarding the role of early olfactory experience in the development of adult odor preferences, synthesizing data across species, sex, and behavioral paradigms.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Georgia State University, Georgia

    Pamela M Maras

Authors
  1. Pamela M Maras
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  2. Aras Petrulis
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Veterinary Preclinical Science, University of Liverpool, Leahurst, Neston CH64 7TE, UK

    Jane L. Hurst

  2. Department of Veterinary Preclinical Science, University of Liverpool, Crown Street, Liverpool, L69 7ZJ, UK

    Robert J. Beynon

  3. School of Biological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Crown Street, Liverpool, L69 7ZB, UK

    S. Craig Roberts

  4. Office of Distance and Online Learning, University of Oxford, Oxford OX2 7DD, UK

    Tristram D. Wyatt

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Maras, P.M., Petrulis, A. (2008). The Role of Early Olfactory Experience in the Development of Adult Odor Preferences in Rodents. In: Hurst, J.L., Beynon, R.J., Roberts, S.C., Wyatt, T.D. (eds) Chemical Signals in Vertebrates 11. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-73945-8_24

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