Interomone compositions and their use to modify behavior in different vertebrate species

Abstract

A composition comprising an interomone is described for the modification of undesirable or harmful stress-related behaviors or other behaviors or physiology in a variety of vertebrate species, as well as methods of using the compositions in vertebrates from a species different than the species in which the interomone is a naturally occurring pheromone.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13 / 623,279 filed on Sep. 20, 2012, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 536,673 filed on Sep. 20, 2011, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present disclosure is broadly concerned with the field of animal behavior and the use of pheromones and interomones. More particularly, the present disclosure is concerned with the use of the pheromone Androstenone as an interomone to produce a different behavioral or physiological effect (such as a calming or behavioral-altering effect) in a different vertebrate species from which the pheromone is produced, for example, such as in dogs, cats, snakes, birds, or horses.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Pheromones are chemicals released by living organisms that send information to other organisms of the same species via scent. Pheromones are rele...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This patent discusses how scientists have discovered certain chemicals in one animal that can affect the behavior of another animal. These chemicals can be made into compounds and used as part of a method to change the behavior of a different animal without harming or benefitting the animal from which the chemical is released. This is called an interomone. The patent shows how scientists have identified these chemicals and how they can be used to modify behavior in different animals.

Problems solved by technology

It is emitted by one species and benefits another species, but does not benefit and often harms the emitter.

For instance, while domestic dogs are known to bark as part of their normal method of communication, dogs may show excessive barking / jumping / mobbing / begging in response to external cues or due to boredom.

Dog appeasing pheromones, including synthetic compositions believed to replicate certain calming pheromones emitted by dogs, have also been used in the art to treat certain behavioral problems in dogs, but to date, have not been successful in alleviating the barking / jumping syndrome exhibited by certain dogs.

Moreover, the pheromones used in the art have not been directed for use with animal species other than the species from which the pheromones are emitted.

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