Effects of olfactory stimulation on the sleep time induced by pentobarbital administration in mice

The effect on the pentobarbital sleep time by olfactory stimulation with various odorants was investigated using mice to appraise the physiological or psychological significance of olfactory information. The sleep time was determined as the time elapsed between intraperitoneal pentobarbital administration and the first time that the animal was able to spontaneously right itself. The sleep time was affected by inhalation of some odorants compared to pure air controls, but not by others. The sleep time was prolonged by terpinyl acetate and phenethyl alcohol, and was shortened by lemon oil and jasmin oil. However, neither potentiation nor attenuation of pentobarbital action by odorant inhalation was observed when using anosmic mice produced by intranasal zinc sulphate treatment. In conclusion, olfactory stimulation associated with odorant inhalation influences the pentobarbital sleep time, suggesting that olfactory information may have a more potent influence on the physiological and psychological status than has previously been thought.