H. Narjisse et al., INFLUENCE OF ODOR AND TASTE OF MONOTERPENOIDS ON FOOD SELECTION BY ANOSMIC AND INTACT SHEEP AND GOATS, Small ruminant research, 23(2-3), 1997, pp. 109-115
Monoterpenoid compounds are found in many taxa including Artemisia and
Juniperus sp., and are presumed to deter herbivores from feeding on p
lants producing them. This study explored the potential influences of
monoterpenoid odor and taste on food preference of anosmic and intact
sheep and goats. Odor contamination was achieved by placing a cotton s
wab saturated with a standard mixture of monoterpenoids in a vial whic
h was hung at the entry of the feeder. Taste discrimination was tested
by offering anosmic animals a choice between a feeder containing alfa
lfa pellets contaminated with the standard mixture of monoterpenoids o
r a similar feeder containing non-contaminated standard diet. Results
indicated that sheep and goats discriminated against monoterpenoid odo
r and taste, respectively. However, because of the potential interacti
on of concentration of monoterpenoids used, animal age, adaptation to
odor and taste, and location preference, the possibility that sheep an
d goats discriminate against monoterpenoid odor and taste has not been
definitely proven nor disproven.