(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2011/0150822 A1 Nouvel Et Al
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US 2011 O150822A1 (19) United States (12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2011/0150822 A1 Nouvel et al. (43) Pub. Date: Jun. 23, 2011 (54) PHEROMONE COMPOSITIONS AND Publication Classification METHODS OF USE (51) Int. Cl. (75) Inventors: Larry Nouvel, Plano, TX (US); A6II 3L/20 (2006.01) Luis Rios, Pembroke Pines, FL A6IP 25/22 (2006.01) (US); Cuong Tu Ba, Miami, FL (US) (52) U.S. Cl. .......................................................... 424/84 (73) Assignee: Sergeant's Pet Care Products, Inc., Omaha, NE (US) (21) Appl. No.: 12/974.565 (57) ABSTRACT (22) Filed: Dec. 21, 2010 Pheromone compositions based on a combination of squalene, linoleic acid and 1-docosanol are described. The Related U.S. Application Data compositions are useful for behavior modification in mam (60) Provisional application No. 61/288,643, filed on Dec. mals that exhibit undesirable or harmful stress-related behav 21, 2009. iors. 100% 80% I is 60% E 40% 20% O% M Marked improvement Some improvement No change Patent Application Publication Jun. 23, 2011 Sheet 1 of 2 US 2011/O150822 A1 100% 80% 60% 53% 40% 24% 24% 20% O% Marked improvement Some improvement No change FIG. Patent Application Publication Jun. 23, 2011 Sheet 2 of 2 US 2011/O150822 A1 Behavior improvement 1 OO 80 a d 60 - D. Feliway diffuser S 40 a Cat Collar 2O O Yes NO Feliway diffuser 67.6 32.5 dCat Collar 87.1 12.9 US 2011/O 150822 A1 Jun. 23, 2011 PHEROMONE COMPOSITIONS AND result in harmful or annoying behaviors that are not well METHODS OF USE tolerated by the affected animal, other animals or human owners/handlers. For example, separation anxiety in dogs CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED frequently results in Soiling, excessive chewing or licking, APPLICATION property destruction, constant barking, and hyperactivity. Pet cats under stress, for instance, from the introduction of a new 0001. This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provi cat to the household, will often spray, Scratch, claw, and make sional Application Ser. No. 61/288,643 filed on Dec. 21, other displays of aggression. Generally, a need is recognized 2009, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by ref for compositions and methods that can be used on any erence in its entirety. affected domestic, farm, or Zoo animal to control Such unde FIELD OF THE INVENTION sirable behaviors. 0002 This invention relates generally to the field of ani SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION mal behavior and more particularly to pheromone composi 0006. The inventors have discovered novel pheromone tions and methods of use for modifying animal behavior. compositions that are useful for modifying behavior in mam mals, and are particularly useful for modifying objectionable BACKGROUND behaviors in domestic animals that result from stress or anxi 0003. A pheromone is a chemical signaling compound ety. The compositions are based in part on the Surprising naturally produced by many animals that elicits a predictable finding that squalene-based compositions (i.e. compositions and specific behavioral response in another member of the comprising at least 30% by weight of squalene) are effective same species. Pheromone compounds and functions vary and at modifying stress- or anxiety-related behaviors in domestic are thought to include alarm pheromones, food trail phero animals. mones, reproductive pheromones, and probably many others 0007 Accordingly, in one aspect there is provided a affecting animal behavior. Although originally and most well pheromone composition for modifying behavior of a mam documented in insect species, pheromones are the Subject of mal, the composition comprising a mixture of at least 30% (% increasing study and recognition is growing of the role that w/w) squalene, at least 10% (% w/w) linoleic acid, and at least pheromones play in modifying the behavior of mammalian 1% (% w/w) 1-docosanol. species. 0008. In another aspect there is provided a pheromone 0004. In mammals pheromones are thought to be detected composition for modifying behavior of a mammal, the com by olfactory membranes or by the vomeronasal organ (VNO position comprising 30%-80% (% w/w) squalene, 10-75% or Jacobson’s organ), which is positioned between the nose (% w/w) linoleic acid, and 1%-10% (% w/w) 1-docosanol. and mouth and functions as the first stage of the accessory 0009. In another aspect there is provided a pheromone olfactory system. However, unlike regular olfactory mem Solution for modifying behavior of a mammal, the composi branes, the VMO is connected directly to the mid-brain and tion comprising about 1%-15% by volume of a mixture of thus enjoys the shortest organ-to-brain distance in mammals. 30%-35% (% w/w) squalene, 55-65% (% w/w) linoleic acid, This feature allows pheromones present in extremely small 2%-5% (% w/w) 1-docosanol, and 1%-5% (% w/w) choles quantities to very selectively trigger certain biochemical pro terol, and about 70%-90% by volume of an organic solvent. cesses in the animal. Moreover, pheromone signals go 0010. In another aspect there is provided a pheromone directly to Subconscious areas of brain without being pro Solution for modifying behavior of a mammal, the composi cessed by the conscious brain, and thus pheromone effects are tion comprising about 1%-15% by volume of a mixture of both rapid and subconscious. While the precise mechanisms 30%-35% (% w/w) squalene, 55-65% (% w/w) linoleic acid, underlying pheromone effects on the mammalian brain 2%-5% (% w/w) 1-docosanol, and 2%-10% (% w/w) of a remain to be further explored and characterized, a growing mixture of at least two fatty acids other than linoleic acid, and body of evidence indicates clear behavioral effects likely about 70%-90% by volume of an organic solvent. involving at least hormonal responses. For example, studies 0011. In another aspect there is provided a pheromone of the house mouse have revealed a complex pheromone Solution for modifying behavior of a mammal, the composi communication system for signaling inter-male aggression tion comprising about 1%-15% by volume of a mixture of and dominance, mating readiness, and for signaling stress to 30%-35% (% w/w) squalene, 55-65% (% w/w) linoleic acid, the other members of the colony. All of these behaviors have 2%-5% (% w/w) 1-docosanol, 1%-5% (% w/w) cholesterol demonstrated correlations with hormonal pathways. Phero and 2%-10% (% w/w) of a mixture of at least two fatty acids mone effects may also be mediated by basic olfactory mecha other than linoleic acid, and about 70%-90% by volume of an nisms and behavioral effects associated with olfactory pro organic solvent. cessing. For example, olfactory processing is known to be 0012. In another aspect there is provided a pheromone important for newborn mammals. Newborns, including Solution for modifying behavior of a mammal, the composi humans, can identify the mother from her scent. This process tion comprising about 1%-15% by volume of a mixture of may be crucial to bonding and Survival and is thought a likely 65%-70% (% w/w) squalene, 18%–21% (% w/w) linoleic candidate for involving pheromone mechanisms in mam acid, 2%-5% (% w/w) 1-docosanol, and 7%–9% (% w/w) of mals. Thus growing evidence is consistent with an important a mixture of at least two fatty acids other than linoleic acid, role for pheromones in controlling mammalian behavior, and and about 70%-90% by volume of an organic solvent. particularly those behaviors associated with bonding, Social 0013. In another aspect there is provided a pheromone ization, aggression and stress. Solution for modifying behavior of a mammal, the composi 0005. In domestic, farm, and Zoo animals, including dogs, tion comprising about 1%-15% by volume of a mixture of cats, horses, Swine, cattle, tigers, lions, bears, elephants, etc., 65%-70% (% w/w) squalene, 18%–21% (% w/w) linoleic fear and anxiety arising from various sources frequently acid, 2%-5% (% w/w) 1-docosanol, 7%–9% (% w/w) of a US 2011/O 150822 A1 Jun. 23, 2011 mixture of at least two fatty acids other than linoleic acid and composition, and preferably contributes 2%-9% (% w/w). 1% (% w/w) cholesterol, and about 70%-90% by volume of When both cholesterol and a mixture of additional fatty acids an organic solvent. are included in the composition, the combined components 0014. In a further aspect there is provided a method of together contribute no more than about 10% (% w/w) to the modifying stress-related behavior in a mammal, the compo composition. sition comprising administering to the mammal atherapeuti 0020 Squalene is a natural organic compound originally cally effective amount of a squalene-based pheromone com obtained for commercial purposes primarily from shark liver position, the composition comprising at least 30% (% w/w) oil, but is also derived from botanical Sources, including squalene, at least 10% (% w/w) linoleic acid, and at least 1% amaranth seed, rice bran, wheat germ, and olives. As derived (% w/w) 1-docosanol. from shark liver oil, squalene is readily available from many 0015. In an additional aspect there is provided a composi commercial sources. As discussed herein, squalene com tion for modifying behavior of a mammal, the composition prises at least about 30% (% w/w), 35% (% w/w), 40% (% comprising a solid matrix into which is incorporated 10%- w/w), 45% (% w/w), 50% (% w/w), 55% (% w/w), 60% (% 20% by weight of a pheromone composition, the pheromone w/w), 65% (% w/w), 70% (% w/w), 75% (% w/w), 80% (% composition comprising 30%-80% (% w/w) squalene, w/w), or 85% (% w/w) of the formulation. For example, the 10-75% (% w/w) linoleic acid, and 1%-10% (% w/w) amount of squalene present in the formulation may range 1-docosanol.