Interomone compositions and their use to modify behavior in different vertebrate species

Abstract

A composition comprising an interomone is described for the modification of undesirable or harmful stress-related behaviors or other behaviors or physiology in a variety of vertebrate species, as well as methods of using the compositions in vertebrates from a species different than the species in which the interomone is a naturally occurring pheromone.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A composition administered to an animal for the modification of behavior, the composition comprising from between about 0.001% and about 1% (w/w) of an interomone and between about 0.5% and 99.99% (w/w) of at least one carrier solvent, wherein the amount of interomone administered to the animal is between about 1.0 pg/mL to about 1.0 g/mL. 
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the interomone is Androstenone. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 2 , wherein Androstenone is present in an amount from between about 0.01% and about 0.1% (w/w) of the composition. 
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one solvent is selected from the group consisting of lipophilic organic diluents, alcohols, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, ether, chloroform, benzene, carbon disulfide, non-volatile oils, volatile liquids, water, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one solvent comprises an alcohol selected from the group consisting of ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, butanol, pentanol, hexanol, heptanol, octanol, and phenyl ethyl alcohol. 
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 5 , wherein the alcohol is selected from the group consisting of ethanol or isopropanol. 
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 4 , wherein the alcohol is present in the composition from between about 1% (w/w) and about 20% (w/w) of the composition. 
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one solvent comprises water. 
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 8 , wherein water is present in the composition from between about 70% and about 99.99% (w/w) of the composition. 
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition further comprises a propellant. 
     
     
         11 . The composition of  claim 10 , wherein the propellant is selected from the group consisting of chlorofluorocarbons, hydrochlorofluorocarbons, hydrofluorocarbons, hydrocarbons, compressed gases, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The composition of  claim 11 , wherein the propellant comprises propane or 1,1-difluoroethane. 
     
     
         13 . The composition of  claim 10 , wherein the propellant is present in the composition from between about 75% to about 99.99% (w/w) of the composition. 
     
     
         14 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition further comprises an additional component selected from the group consisting of a surfactant, a thickener, a fragrance, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The composition of claiml, wherein the composition further comprises at least one additional pheromone or pheromone composition. 
     
     
         16 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the animal is selected from the group consisting of a dog, a cat, a horse, and a snake. 
     
     
         17 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is administered in the form of an aerosol spray or a pump spray.