After taking an early bus, a plane, a train, and one more bus, we finally arrived in Apt, France. Our first day in IRSEA was a quick introduction to the facilities followed by a wine and cheese welcome reception (But of course! We are in France!)
We were given a warm welcome by the entire IRSEA team. Dr. Manuel Mengoli and Dr. Alessandro Cozzi, both veterinarians, gave us a brief tour of the facilities and a breakdown of the research and aim of the Institute.
IRSEA (Institute in Semiochemistry and Applied Ethology) is a private institute which studies the chemical communication between animals and its effect on behavior. The aim is to better understand how these mechanisms work and to be able to use this information to better manage animals and improve animal welfare. IRSEA is based on one idea, “to interact with the living world by using its codes rather than by trying to mold it to our desires.”
A large part of studying pheromones is understanding the anatomy associated with smell. There is a strong correlation between smell and the brain. Think about how one scent can send your mind back in time to a specific memory. During our stay at IRSEA,we would learn about this olfactory connection and how it dictates actions and can be controlled in order to achieve a desired response.
In 2008, with the support of CEVA, the World Wildlife Library of Pheromones and semiochemicals was created in order to use IRSEA’s ability to identify pheromones and semiochemicals which are helpful in improving reproduction and welfare in species. IRSEA has various products which help improve the welfare of livestock. These include SecurePoultry, SecureCattle, and SecurePig. Each is made up of a different appeasing pheromone which been shown to reduce aggression in group housed pigs, decrease cutaneous lesions caused by stress in chickens, and decrease feed consumption in cattle. The pheromone acts to decrease stress and in doing so it able to diminish the cascade of negative behaviors that results from stressed production animals.
Each person we were introduced to was passionate about their research and the ideas that the institute is trying to purport. It was with great enthusiasm that we were introduced to the various projects ranging from dog and cat behavioral issues (IRSEA being the inventor of the pheromone behind the popular cat product Feliway) to being able to create a non-toxic, yet potent insect repellent. Our week was bound to be interesting,full of new ideas we were excited to bring back to Philadelphia.
PennVet Explores Europe 