关键词: 啮齿动物, 嗅觉通讯, 信息素, 气味行为反应

Abstract: The paper is a review on research of olfactory communication in rodents for the past 40 years. It mainly introduced the sources and components of olfactory signals , and their mechanisms on physiological behavior of rodent. Faeces , urine , secretion of skin gland , etc. are main sources of odor in rodents. The component analyses on these chemical signals have been focused mainly on structures , components and behavioral effects of pheromones. Currently , among the research areas in neuro-pathway of olfactory communication in rodents , main olfactory system , vomeronasal system , and their olfactory communication functions are still the focal points. Research on pheromones and their impacts on behavioral responses in neuro-endocrine mechanism is also one of the hot studies in animalsolfactory communication. Studying the impact of odor signals on animal behavior and physiology of animal will assist in revealing the important role of olfactory communication in social behavior of rodents.

Key words: Rodent, Olfactory communication, Pheromone, Odor preference