Active and passive responses to catnip (Nepeta cataria) are affected by age, sex and early gonadectomy in male and female cats

作者：Teresa Espin Iturbe Luz; Lopez Yanez Bernardo A; Carrasco Garcia Apolo; Canseco Sedano Rodolfo; Vazquez Hernandez Maribel; Coria Avila Genaro A^*

来源：Behavioural Processes, 2017, 142: 110-115.

DOI：10.1016/j.beproc.2017.06.008

• Nepeta cataria
• Catnip
• Domestic cat
• Gonadectomy
• Age
• Opioids

Catnip (Nepeta cataria) is a popular plant among cat owners because in about 60% of felids elicits active behaviors such as rolling over, grooming, motor activity and vocalizations. Herein, we assessed the display of active but also passive responses, such as time in sphinx-like position, and consequently hypothesized that 100% of cats respond to catnip. Accordingly, sixty domestic cats of different age (infant, juvenile, adults), sex (males, females) and gonadal status (early gonadectomized, gonadally intact) were placed in a cylindrical chamber (1.20 x 1.40 m) during 5 min and then exposed to 500 mg of dehydrated catnip for another 5 min. Behaviors were videorecorded and scored. Results indicated that about 20% of the cats (adults and juvenile only) displayed active behaviors (i.e. rolling over), whereas 80% displayed passive responses at any age (sphinx-like position, decreased frequency in vocalizations, and decreased motor activity). These results suggest that all cats respond to catnip but they express it actively, passively or with a combination of both types of responses, which mainly depends on age and sex, and early gonadectomy to a much less extent. We discuss the possible implications of brain maturation on this dichotomy and speculate on the role of opioidergic system on the catnip responses.

• 出版日期2017-9