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Abstract
The odor of 2,5-dihydro-2,4,5-trimethylthiazoline (TMT), a synthetic compound isolated
from fox feces, induces various emotional behavioral and stress responses. Here we
examined the effect of TMT on behavioral responses and adrenal sympathetic nerve activity
(ASNA) in rats. TMT increased freezing behavior, defensive-burying and defensive-attack,
and decreased exploration, grooming and approach behaviors. On the other hand, butyric
acid (BA), a pungent but non-predatory odor, increased defensive-burying only. TMT
increased ASNA strongly, whereas the effects of BA increased ASNA extremely weakly.
Furthermore, pre-treatment with the histaminergic H1-receptor antagonist diphenhydramine
eliminated the effects of TMT on ASNA. These findings suggest that TMT odor affects
autonomic neurotransmission via histaminergic neurons. Exposure to TMT odor likely
regulates the controlling autonomic function and output to a motor system simultaneously,
evoking behavioral stress responses.
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