Research overview: olfactory and pheromonal influences on felid reproduction

Chemical signals among individuals can influence reproductive physiology and behavior in cats, including potential suppressive or stimulatory effects in social settings. This overview surveys how olfactory and pheromonal cues affect felid reproduction, from the role of scent in advertising estrus and stimulating mating behavior to possible influences of conspecific odors on cycling. It reviews evidence in domestic cats and captive groups and the difficulty of disentangling chemical signals from other social effects. The review connects olfactory influences to reproductive suppression, mate stimulation, and management practices that use scent to promote breeding. Understanding pheromonal influences clarifies an often-overlooked dimension of felid reproductive regulation that may contribute to social effects on breeding.