RT Journal Article
T1 Pheromones and behaviour of rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus): A review
A1 Barrionuevo, Renato
A1 Álvarez Torres, Jacobo
A1 Acción Carro, Antía
A1 Yáñez, Uxía
A1 Sánchez Quinteiro, Pablo
A1 Martínez Portela, Paulino
A1 Becerra González, Juan José
A1 Rodríguez Villamayor, Paula
A1 Peña Martínez, Ana Isabel
A1 García Herradón, Pedro José
A1 Quintela Arias, Luis Ángel
K1 Rabbit
K1 Pheromone receptors
K1 Chemical communication
K1 Reproduction
K1 Leporidae
AB Pheromones are defined as substances released by an individual that have a specific influence on physiology, behaviour or development with another individual of the same species. Currently, the term pheromone is used in various disciplines, from psychology to electrophysiology, or to describe various chemosensory stimuli. The present literature review describes the main pheromone receptors and sources in rabbits, including the vomeronasal organ and the olfactory bulb; the main pheromone-producing glands are also described, such as the chin, anal, Harderian, mammary and the brown inguinal, as well as the urine as the major source for pheromonal communication. This review also provides a comprehensive examination of the role of pheromones in rabbit behaviour, integrating perspectives from physiology, behaviour and practical applications in rabbit farming. It delves into the mechanisms of pheromone action by discussing the main receptors and production sites, categorising pheromones in an orderly manner according to their functional roles in rabbits. Additionally, the review synthesises current research on pheromone influence, while highlighting both ecological implications and welfare improvements. By addressing these topics with scientific depth and practical relevance, this work offers an insightful understanding of rabbit pheromones and their diverse roles.
PB Universitat Politècnica de València
SN 1257-5011
YR 2025
FD 2025-09-30
LK https://hdl.handle.net/10347/43287
UL https://hdl.handle.net/10347/43287
LA eng
NO Barrionuevo R., Álvarez J., Acción A., Yáñez U., Sánchez-Quinteiro P., Martínez P., Villamayor P.R., Becerra J.J., Peña A.I., Herradón P.G., Quintela L.A. 2025. Pheromones and behaviour of rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus): A review. World Rabbit Sci., 33: 151-164. https://doi.org/10.4995/wrs.2025.22920
NO This publication is part of the R+D+i project grant PID2021-127814OB-I00 funded by MCIN/ AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by “ERDF A way of making Europe”. PRV and UY were supported by research fellowships funded by Xunta de Galicia (Fulbright postdoctoral fellowship ED481B-2023-091, and postdoctoral fellowship ED481B-2024-033, respectively).
DS Minerva
RD 24 abr 2026