Postnatal Development of Olfactory-Guided Behavior in Rodents

Abstract

Olfaction is among the first sensory systems in vertebrates to become functional during ontogenesis (Alberts 1984). Even in the most altricial species, i.e., those that produce extremely immature newborns, the sense of smell is operable at birth and is often vital to the early survival of the young (Alberts 1976, 1981, 1985). From birth to sexual maturity, most vertebrates encounter an expanding array of social and environmental challenges. The roles of olfaction in survival and reproductive success broaden accordingly. In rodents, for example, the sense of smell is a critical avenue for information affecting exploration, aggression, feeding, sexual maturation, estrous cycles and sexual behavior. Similarly, olfaction regulates maternal behavior, dominance relations, as well as recognition of kin, non-kin, mates, prey, predators, and territory (see Alberts 1976, 1981; Cheal 1975; Doty 1976; Schulz and Tapp 1973).