Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology (IFM)

Interactions and relationships between predator and prey species are constantly evolving and this ongoing process has an impact on various sensory and behavioral adaptations, such as recognizing and avoiding predators. For most mammalian prey species these adaptations include the ability to detect odors emitted by predators and to display behavioral responses such as avoidance, vigilance or freezing.However, there is limited knowledge about whether blood odors are sufficient to elicit such behavior.

Furthermore, a component of mammalian blood, trans-4.5-epoxy-(E)-2-decenal, evokes a “metallic, blood-like” odor in humans and is suggested to be a “character impact compound” of mammalian blood.

Therefore, the aim of the present study was:

• To assess behavioral responses of mice to the odor of different types of mammalian blood and to a blood odor component