Study on response of house rats towards pheromones in relation to their management
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Date
2022
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Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana
Abstract
A study on response of house rats of different maturity groups and sexes towards faecal pellets, salivary and scent glands extracts of different maturity groups indicated that faecal pellets and clitoral gland xtracts of mature female rats in estrous stage and preputial gland extract of mature male rats were most effective as attractant/repellent against mature rats of opposite/same sex respectively. Their efficacy reduced due to the dissipation of pheromones with time. In house rats, salivary gland extracts were not found to be playing any significant role in sexual or social communication. Among 0.5ml and 1ml of 1%, 2% and 3% volatile organic compounds (VOCs) extract, 1ml of 2% extract of mature male and estrous female rats was found to have repellent effect towards mature and immature male and female group of rats for 1-2 days. Gas chromatography linked mass spectrometry analysis of fresh and 8 days old clitoral, preputial gland and VOCs extracts of mature estrous female and male respectively indicated the presence of some compounds which were exclusively present in fresh extract but absent in 8 days old extract (due to their dissipation) indicating that these compounds might be responsible for sexual communication in house rats. These identified compounds can be used in identified fixed proportion to develop a stable lure to improve the acceptability of antifertility agents and rodenticides-based baits as well as to improve trapability of house rats for managing their population.
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Bindu Bala (2022). Study on response of house rats towards pheromones in relation to their management (Unpublished Ph.D. Dissertation). Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India.