Some observations on the odours of anal gland secretions from the rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus (L.)

Abstract

Organoleptic panel techniques have been used to study the changes in the odour from anal glands of the European rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus (L.). Samples from live animals were taken by rectal swabbing, and aqueous serial dilutions were prepared from the whole glands of freshly killed animals. It was found that marking faecal pellets of dominant males and females are stronger-smelling than non-marking pellets. In subordinate males this was not apparent. The intensities of the odours from the anal glands of a series of known-age rabbits, 4-28 weeks old, were compared. The odour intensity increased with increasing age of the rabbits and was higher in males than in females. Observations carried out on entire and castrated domestic rabbits showed that the odour from the anal glands of entire bucks was the stronger. The least intense was the smell from normal females. The odour from the anal glands of castrated does was stronger than that of castrated bucks. Seasonal changes were demonstrated in the odours from male and female glands. The odour was strongest during the breeding season. Some human assessors could detect the odour of anal glands in aqueous dilutions as low as 1 part in 2xl0*9. It is emphasized that changes in odour in relation to age, sex, social status, and reproduction reflect the important role of odour in the system of communication and life of the rabbit.