Introduction Advanced Kadish stage esthesioneuroblastoma requires more extensive resections and aggressive adjuvant therapy to obtain adequate disease-free control, which can lead to higher complication rates. We describe the case of a patient with Kadish D esthesioneuroblastoma who underwent multiple surgeries for infectious, neurologic, and wound complications, highlighting potential preventative and salvage techniques. Case Presentation A 61-year-old man who presented with a large left-sided esthesioneuroblastoma, extending into the orbit, frontal lobe, and parapharyngeal nodes. He underwent margin-free endoscopic-assisted craniofacial resection with adjuvant craniofacial and cervical radiotherapy and concomitant chemotherapy. He then returned with breakdown of his skull base reconstruction and subsequent frontal infections and ultimately received 10 surgical procedures with surgeries for infection-related issues including craniectomy and abscess evacuation. He also had surgeries for skull base reconstruction and CSF leak, repaired with vascularized and free autologous grafts and flaps, synthetic tissues, and CSF diversion. Discussion Extensive, high Kadish stage tumors necessitate radical surgical resection, radiation, and chemotherapy, which can lead to complications. Ultimately, there are several options available to surgeons, and although precautions should be taken whenever possible, risk of wound breakdown, leak, or infection should not preclude radical surgical resection and aggressive adjuvant therapies in the treatment of esthesioneuroblastoma.

Le bulbe olfactif (BO) des mammifères adultes est le siège d'une intense neurogenèse tout au long de la vie. L'intégration des nouveaux neurones dans le BO est alimentée par la génération continuelle de progéniteurs immatures dans la zone periventriculaire (ZPV) du ventricule latéral du cerveau antérieur. Au cours de leur différentiation, ceux-ci migrent « en chaine » de la ZPV vers le BO. Une fois dans le BO ils migrent alors radialement vers leur localisation finale et achèvent leur différentiation. Le phénotype des neurones néoformés est divers et est déterminé par la position des cellules souche dans la ZPV. Outre un intérêt spécifique, cette neurogenèse offre des perspectives uniques pour étudier la neurogenèse en général. En effet, dans ce système, les étapes successives du processus de différentiation sont distinctement séparées dans l'espace.Durant ma thèse j'ai étudié le rôle des microARN dans la neurogenèse du BO. Les microARN sont des ARN d'environs 22 nucléotides qui régulent négativement l'expression des gènes au niveau post-transcriptionnel. En utilisant des souris mutantes conditionnelles pour une enzyme clé dans la synthèse des microARN, j'ai démontré que les microARN étaient essentiels à la génération de nouveaux neurones. Par la suite, pour identifier des microARN candidats, le profil d'expression de l'ensemble des microARN durant la neurogenèse a été réalisé. Cette étude s'est faite par séquençage haut-débit des petits ARN sur un panel d'échantillons représentatifs des différentes étapes de la neurogenèse du BO et des différents compartiments de cellules souche de la ZPV. / New neurons are continuously and extensively generated in the adult mammalian olfactory bulb (OB). The constant integration of new neurons into the OB circuitry is fueled by the continuous generation of immature progenitors in the periventricular zone (PVZ) of the lateral ventricle of the forebrain. Immature precursor cells leave the PVZ and migrate in interwoven chains to the OB. After arrival in the OB they migrate radially to their final positions and undergo terminal differentiation. The phenotype of these new neurons is diverse and determined by the position of the stem cells in the PVZ. Beyond its specific interest, this system of postnatal neurogenesis provides unique, advantageous properties to study neurogenesis in general, as the distinct steps of the neurogenic sequence (stem cell, amplification, migration, final differentiation) are clearly spatially separated. During my PhD I aimed to elucidate the roles of microRNA mediated regulation of gene expression in the OB neurogenesis. MicroRNAs are a class of small regulatory RNAs around 22 nucleotides in length. They act as negative regulators of gene expression on a post-transcriptional level thereby restricting protein output. Using a conditional knock-out mouse line for a key enzyme of microRNAs synthesis, I first demonstrated that microRNAs are absolutely required to complete the neuronal differentiation process. Subsequently, in order to identify candidates playing a role in neurogenesis, a miRNome profiling was performed by deep sequencing of small RNAs in tissues representative for different stem cell compartments and steps of neurogenesis.

The locomotor activity of the reindeer is separated into a diurnal and a nocturnal phase which, in turn, consists of a  number of short-term activity bursts. The onset and termination  of diurnal and nocturnal activity are largely in synchrony  with sunrise and sunset. Since the diurnal phase is  longer, total activity is dependent on the photoperiod. Total  activity as well as the number of activity bursts is greater  in Jùne with continuous daylight than in December with 6  hours daylight. In winter, reindeer spent less time feeding  but more time ruminating and resting *than in summer. Synchronization  between individuals was also greatest in winter. It  is concluded that the described changes in the activity  pattern are due to an endogenous component and that this component  further controls food consumption and energy balance  of the reindeer.  Seasonal variations in behavioural patterns are described.  Several specific rutting behavioürs, sexual and agonostic,  emerge in the male during the prerut and persist until after  the rut. The preorbital gland is enlarged and secretory activity  is evident. The rut is cha'tabterized by the sudden appearance  of an odour in the breath of mature males followed a few  later by a strong odour in the urine. These odours persist for  a short time during the most intense period of rut. The amount  of androgen rizes sharply and reaches peak concentrations in  late September - early October, decreasing thereafter. The  described behavioural cues occur with a certain constancy in  time in concecutive seasons.  A quantification of the amounts of secretory epithelia in preorbital,  interdigital, caudal and tarsal glands reveals that  only the preorbital gland is subjected to any seasonal and  sexual variation. The apocrine epithelium in this gland is  most developed in mature males during the rutting season and  seems to be dependent upon the presence of an elevated androgen  concentration. The tarsal gland is the least developed  gland while the interdigital and caudal glands are more welldeveloped  and structurally complex. Scattered apocrine glands  are only developed on the legs, the ventral body, oral angle  and in the rump patch. / digitalisering@umu

L'imagerie optique multispectrale du signal intrinsèque permet d'estimer les variations des paramètres hémodynamiques à partir de la collecte des fluctuations de réflectance, à au moins deux longueurs d'onde, induites par une activation cérébrale. Cette thèse propose une étude méthodologique et instrumentale mais aussi une validation in vivo des développements entrepris. Le calcul des paramètres hémodynamiques nécessite l'application d'une loi de Beer-Lambert modifiée introduisant un terme crucial pour la précision du calcul des variations des paramètres hémodynamiques, le DP, que nous avons estimé par simulation Monte Carlo pour les modèles du cortex somatosensoriel et du bulbe olfactif de rat. Nous montrons ainsi que les variations d'absorption, de diffusion ou d'anisotropie n'influe pas sur les valeurs de DP en dessous de 630 nm, que la géométrie et les propriétés optiques des structures a un impact sur celles-ci. Ainsi, le calcul des DP pour chaque structure cérébrale est indispensable. En outre, le choix des longueurs d'onde d'illumination est décisif et s'apprécie en fonction de deux paramètres, la diaphonie et le séparabilité qui ont été calculés pour déterminer les couples et les triplets de longueurs d'onde optimaux pour l'étude du bulbe olfactif de rat. Il apparaît que les valeurs de séparabilité sont négligeables en raison de la forte absorptivité des tissus biologiques dans le visible et que le choix des combinaisons optimales peut se faire en se basant seulement sur les valeurs de diaphonie. La deuxième étape a consisté à construire un banc d'imagerie multispectrale performant et à le valider ainsi que l'étude méthodologique. Les résultats in vivo montrent une différence flagrante des signaux de réflectance et hémodynamiques entre le cortex somatosensoriel et le bulbe olfactif dont l'origine physique et/ou biologique est discutée. / Multispectral imaging of intrinsic optical signal allows to estimate changes in hemodynamic parameters from the collection of reflectance fluctuations, at least with two wavelengths, induced by cerebral activation. This thesis proposes methodological and instrumental studies but also in vivo validation of developments undertaken. The calculation of hemodynamic parameters requires the application of a modified Beer-Lambert law introducing a crucial term for accuracy of hemodynamic parameters changes calculation, the DP, which had been estimated using Monte Carlo simulation models of the somatosensory cortex and olfactory bulb of rats. We show that the variations of absorption, diffusion or anisotropy does not affect the values of DP, whereas geometry and optical properties of the structures have an great impact on them. Thus, calculation of DP for each studied brain structure is essential. In addition, the choice of wavelength illumination is critical and appreciated in terms of two parameters, crosstalk and separability. Pairs and triplets of optimal wavelengths for rat olfactory bulb study were calculated. It appears that the separability values are negligible due to the high absorptivity of biological tissues in the visible and the choice of optimal combinations can be based only on the values of crosstalk. The second step was to build a bench multispectral imaging performance, to validate it and methodological study. The results show a striking difference hemodynamic and reflectance signals between somatosensory cortex and olfactory bulb, which physical origin and/or biological is discussed.

Precursores neurais originados na zona subventricular (ZSV) de algumas espécies animais possuem uma rota de migração neuronal destinada ao bulbo olfatório principal (BOP), onde os neuroblastos migrantes se diferenciam em interneurônios. Esta corrente migratória é mantida na idade adulta. A compreensão de como se organiza na idade fetal é essencial para a compreensão geral e estabelecimento de novas terapias celulares. O objetivo deste estudo é caracterizar a composição celular e organização morfológica da ZSV e da corrente rostral migratória (CRM) em encéfalos de fetos caninos. A ZSV, CRM e BOP foram obtidos de fetos caninos de aproximadamente 57 dias de idade gestacional. O tecido foi analisado através de coloração de Nissl, método de imunohistoquímica de dupla marcação com duplacortina (DCX), fator de transcrição SOX2, proteína glial fibrilar ácida (GFAP), calbindina (CALB), calretinina (CALR) e tirosina-hidroxilase (TH). Foram feitas a análise relativa da expressão da imunorreatividade e análise quantitativa de colocalização celular, além do método de microscopia eletrônica de transmissão. Os resultados mostram que a ZSV dorsal possui células imunorreativas (ir) para o DCX ao longo da parede ventricular, dispostas tangencialmente e fileiras de células SOX2-ir foram encontradas na mesma orientação. A imunorreatividade de GFAP foi mais forte na ZSV dorsal e as células possuem fibras dirigidas tangencialmente adjacentes ao ventrículo lateral e fibras orientadas radialmente em direção ao córtex. A CRM de feto de cão tem início na ZSV anterior e segue caudalmente ao redor da cabeça do núcleo caudado e desce na vertical até se curvar rostralmente em direção ao BOP onde termina na camada de células granulares (CCG). A CRM tem aparência homogênea e densa e possui células positivas para o DCX nas porções iniciais e para SOX2 e GFAP por toda a extensão. Não houve células positivas para CALB, CALR e TH em nenhuma região da ZSV e CRM. No BOP, os resultados mostraram que a camada glomerular (CG) possui células imunorreativas a CALR, TH, SOX2 e GFAP. Na camada plexiforme externa (CPE) houve células imunorreativas a CALB, CALR, SOX2 e GFAP e na CCG, houve células imunorreativas a CALR, SOX2 e GFAP. Na análise de colocalização, foram encontrados na CG neurônios CALR que colocalizam com células SOX2 e uma baixa colocalização de neurônios TH e células SOX2. Na CPE, foi observado um baixo número de colocalização de neurônios CALR e CALB e na CCG, as células SOX2 colocalizam com os neurônios CALR. As conclusões mostram que o feto de cão possui uma CRM em direção BOP, com imunorreatividade celular para DCX, SOX2 e GFAP na ZSV e CRM e para CALB, CALR, TH, SOX2 e GFAP nas principais camadas do BOP / Neural precursors originated in the subventricular zone (SVZ) of some animal species have a migration route destined for main olfactory bulb (MOB), where migrants neuroblasts differentiate into olfactory interneurons. This migratory stream is maintained in adulthood. Understanding how it is organized in fetal age is essential for general understanding and establishment of new cell therapies. The aim of this study is characterize the cellular composition and morphological organization of the SVZ and rostral migratory stream (RMS) of brains of canine fetuses. The SVZ, RMS and MOB was obtained from canine fetuses of the approximately 57 gestacional days-old. The tissue was analyzed by Nissl staining and by immunohistochemical methods for double labelling with doublecortin (DCX), transcription factor SOX2, glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP), calbindin (CALB), calretinin (CALR) and tyrosinehydroxylase (TH). Semiquantitative analysis of immunoreactivity and quantitative analysis of colocalization were realized, besides ultrastructural analysis by electron microscopy. The results show that in dorsal SVZ, DCX immunoreactive cells were found along the ventricular wall, arranged tangentially and lines of SOX2 cells were also found in the same orientation. The GFAP immunostaining is stronger in dorsal SVZ with tangentially directed fibers near the lateral ventricle and radially oriented fibers toward the cortex. The RMS of dog fetus begins at anterior SVZ and follows caudally around the head of the caudate nucleus and vertically descends to bend rostrally into the MOB, where it ends in the granular cell layer (GCL).The RMS have SOX2 positive cells on entire length, showing a homogeneous appearance and high cell density. There is no positive CALB cells or CALR in any region of the SVZ and RMS. The results of the MOB show that the glomerular layer (GL) there were cells immunoreactive to CALR, TH, SOX2 and GFAP. In the external plexiforme layer (EPL) there were immunoreactive cells for CALR, CALB, SOX2 and GFAP and, the GCL, the prevalence is higher for CALR neurons, SOX2-ir and GFAP-ir cells. In colocalization analysis, they were found a some CALR positive neurons in GL that colabeled with SOX2 cells and a low colocalization of TH neurons and SOX2 cells. In EPL, was observed a low colocalization number of CALR and CALB neurons and in GCL, SOX2 cells colabeled with CALR neurons. The conclusions show that the dog fetus has a RMS directed to the MOB, with cellular immunoreactivity for DCX, SOX2 and GFAP in the ZSV and RMS and cellular immunoreactivity for SOX2 CALB, CALR, TH and GFAP in main olfactory bulb layers

O estudo da substantividade de uma composição aromática/fragrância em pele em função do ciclo menstrual é de relevância científica, pois a literatura científica menciona, sem conclusões significativas, que os hormônios sexuais manifestam inúmeros efeitos fisiológicos na pele e de percepção olfativa, principalmente nas fases ovulatória e lútea comparadas às demais fases do ciclo menstrual. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo investigar se os hormônios sexuais influenciam na sensibilidade olfativa e, se as alterações fisiológicas na pele afetam a performance da fragrância durante o ciclo menstrual. Para tanto, foi empregada a avaliação sensorial e determinada a escala de magnitude categórica LMS (escala de magnitude com rótulos) para a quantificação da intensidade de perfume no experimento. O estudo da estabilidade normal da composição aromática definiu a melhor composição para a fase experimental. O estudo clínico foi realizado em quatro fases do ciclo menstrual (menstrual, folicular, ovulatória e lútea) e, cada uma, a intensidade de perfume foi avaliada em 5 tempos experimentais (inicial; 1,5; 3,0; 4,5 e 6h). Em paralelo, foram analisadas as medidas biomecânicas da pele (perda de água transepidérmica, corneometria e sebumetria) e um indivíduo do sexo masculino foi considerado como controle de pele no estudo. As medidas biomecânicas não foram significativas para influenciar na sensiblidade olfativa. A percepção foi maior na fase lútea quando a mulher avaliava sua pele e menor quando avaliava a pele do homem em relação às outras fases. Conclui-se que os hormônios sexuais afetaram a sensibilidade olfativa em diferentes fases do ciclo, porém as alterações fisiológicas provavelmente não interferiram na percepção olfativa e este fato nos orienta para o desenvolvimento de fragrâncias e instiga à pesquisa de matérias-primas aromáticas que influenciam no comportamento da mulher ou até mesmo na atração entre os sexos. / The Substantivity study of the aromatic composition/fragrance on the skin in function of menstrual cycle is the big issue because of the scientific literature says, with no significant conclusions, which the sex hormones demonstrate wide physiologic effects in the skin and in the olfactory perception, particularly, in the ovulatory and luteal phases versus other ones of the menstrual cycle. The aim of this study was to investigate if the sex hormones influence on the olfactory perception and their physiologic effects in the skin might change the fragrance performance during the menstrual cycle. Thus it was employed a sensory evaluation and was defined the LMS scale (labeled magnitude scale) to score the fragrance intensity in the assessment. The stability test defined the best aromatic composition/fragrance to the experiment. The clinical study was conducted in four phases of the menstrual cycle (menstrual, follicular, ovulatory and luteal) and, each one, the perfume intensity was evaluated in 5 experimental times (initial, 1,5h, 3,0h, 4,5h and 6h) in parallel with the bioengineer measurement of the skin (transepidermal water loss, moisturizing and sebum content) and a man was considered a skin control in the experiment. The bioengineer measurement was no significant to influence the olfactory perception; however, the fragrance perception in the luteal phase was higher when the woman evaluated her skin and lower when she evaluated man skin in comparison to the other phases. In summary, the sex hormones influenced the olfactory perception in different phases of the menstrual cycle; however, the skin physiologic effects did not affect the olfactory perception probably and this issue helps to development fragrances and instigates to discover aromatic raw materials that influence woman behavior or even the sex attraction.

Este trabalho descreve uma simulação computacional biologicamente plausível do sistema olfativo de vertebrados. O modelo construído foi capaz de reproduzir satisfatoriamente características importantes observadas no sistema olfativo de vertebrados, incluindo a recepção de diferentes concentrações e tipos de odores no epitélio olfativo e a propagação dessa informação para o bulbo. Ele também tornou possível a observação de diferentes padrões de resposta odorífera, tanto no epitélio como no bulbo, associados a diferentes odores usados nas simulações. / This work describes a biologically plausible simulation of the olfactory system of vertebrates. The constructed model was capable of reproducing satisfactorily important characterisitics observed in the vertebrate olfactory system, including the reception of different concentrations and odor types at the epithelium and the propagation of this information to the olfactory bulb. Also, it made possible the observation of the different response patterns, both in the epithelium as in the olfactory bulb, associated with different odors used in the simulations.

Os interneurônios do bulbo olfatório são elementos chave para o entendimento do processamento de odores. O papel funcional desses neurônios ainda não é bem compreendido, em especial o papel da célula periglomerular (PG). O presente trabalho consiste em construir um modelo biologicamente plausível da célula PG e investigar os efeitos dessa célula em conjunto com modelos da célula mitral e da célula granular. Esses modelos são acoplados através de conexões sinápticas inspiradas nas conexões existentes no bulbo olfatório, formando uma pequena rede simplificada. A rede é usada para analisar o efeito da inibição inicial da célula mitral por parte da célula PG e os mecanismos que podem influenciar o padrão de atividade da célula mitral. Através deste estudo, verifica-se que a célula PG pode influenciar na frequência, no tempo de disparo e gerar atrasos na propagação do potencial da célula mitral, agindo como um mecanismo de controle nas camadas iniciais do processamento de odores do bulbo olfatório. / Interneurons of the olfactory bulb are key elements for understanding odor processing. The functional role of these cells are not yet well understood, in particular the role of periglomerular cell (PG). This work aims at constructing a biologically plausible model of the PG cell to study effects of the coupling of this cell with model of mitral and granule cells of the olfactory bulb. Single cell models of these three cell types coupled by synaptic connections inspired on existing connections in the olfactory bulb, constituting a small and simple network. This network is used to investigate the effect of early lateral inhibition of the mitral cell by PG cell and the mechanisms witch can influence the output activity pattern of mitral cell. The study shows that the PG cell may influence the spike frequency and the spike timing of the mitral cell, as well as provoke delays in the propagation of action potential along this cell. Therefore, the PG cell may act as a control mechanism in the early odor processing stages in the olfactory bulb.

Esse trabalho consiste no estudo de alguns mecanismos responsáveis pela geração das oscilações elétricas observadas no sistema olfativo de vertebrados e das possíveis funções que essas oscilações possam ter no processamento da informação olfativa. Da-se especial atenção ao papel desempenhado pelo ritmo respiratório e pelas sinapses químicas e elétricas nesse processo. Para realizar essa investigação, foram utilizados modelos computacionais que reproduzem aspectos da anatomia e da fisiologia do epitélio olfativo, do bulbo olfativo e do córtex piriforme. Os modelos foram desenvolvidos e simulados no neurossimulador GENESIS, funcionando no sistema operacional LINUX. A análise dos resultados foi feita no programa MATLAB (Mathworks™). Inicialmente, a tese faz uma descrição do substrato neurobiológico que compõe as camadas iniciais do sistema olfativo, incluindo o epitélio, bulbo e córtex olfativo, e de como a informação olfativa é processada por cada camada, discutindo a importância do sentido olfativo e a relevância da neurociência computacional no estudo da origem e do papel das oscilações elétricas existentes nesse sistema (Capítulo 1). O capítulo 2 descreve os materiais e métodos utilizados para a construção dos modelos computacionais e para análise dos resultados. O capítulo 3 faz uma descrição detalhada do modelo computacional utilizado e dos experimentos realizados com o modelo. Finalmente, o capítulo 4 apresenta e discute os resultados das simulações realizadas e o capítulo 5 estende essa discussão, concluindo a tese. O capítulo 6 contém as referências bibliográficas utilizadas no trabalho. Os resultados do trabalho sugerem que as oscilações elétricas no sistema olfativo poderiam ser geradas em várias estruturas e níveis de organização, abrangendo os níveis moleculares, celulares e de sistemas neurais. E que as sinapses químicas e elétricas, assim como os ritmos respiratórios, podem ter um papel fundamental na geração dessas oscilações. Assim, o modelo construído propõe uma explicação plausível para a origem das oscilações elétricas no sistema olfativo de vertebrados e discute as possíveis funções que essas oscilações teriam no contexto do processamento da informação sensorial. / This work is a study of some mechanisms associated with the generation of electric oscillations in the vertebrate olfactory system. Special attention is given for the role of the respiratory rhythm, chemical synapses and electrical synapses in this process. The possible functions of the electric oscillations in olfactory information processing are explored. A computational model that reproduces aspects of the anatomy and physiology of the olfactory epithelium, bulb and piriform cortex was utilized to realize this investigation. The models were developed and simulated in the GENESIS neurosimulator, running under the LINUX operational system. The analysis of the results was made in the software MATLAB (Mathworks™). In the beginning, the thesis describe the neurobiological substracts of the initial layers of the olfactory system, including the olfactory epithelium, bulb and piriform cortex, and explore how the olfactory information is processed by each layer. The chapter 1 presents the importance of the olfactory sense and the use of computational neuroscience to study the role of the electric oscillations in this system. The chapter 2 explains the material and methods utilized to develop the computational model and to analyse the data generated by the model. The chapter 3 describes the used computational model and the experiments realized with the model. Finally, the chapter 4 presents and discusses the results of the simulations. The chapter 5 extends the discussion and concludes the thesis. The chapter 6 contains the bibliographic references. The results of the work suggest that electric oscillations in the olfactory system could be generated in several structures and organizational levels, including the molecular level, the cellular and neural systems level. In particular, the results shown that chemical and electric synapses, as well as the respiratory rhythm, may have a fundamental role in the generation of these oscillations. Indeed, the constructed model proposes a plausible explanation for the origin of the electrical oscillations in the vertebrate olfactory system and discusses the possible function of these oscillations in the context of sensorial information processing.

A transferência de odores entre os gatos e o meio ambiente ocorre por meio de contatos corporais, como também pela eliminação de excretas. Pelo enriquecimento ambiental é possível promover a exibição de comportamentos mais próximos dos naturais e extinguir comportamentos não desejáveis, contribuindo, assim, para a saúde física e psicológica dos animais. Este trabalho teve como objetivo promover estímulos no ambiente para que os gatos desempenhassem comportamentos característicos da espécie. Foram utilizados gatos domésticos (Felis silvestris catus L.), castrados (por volta do primeiro ano de vida) ou não, de ambos os sexos. Os animais foram mantidos todos juntos em um abrigo de gatos, cuja população era de aproximadamente 110 indivíduos, sendo 41 machos e 69 fêmeas. Cinco testes foram realizados durante dezesseis meses e foi registrado: quais os comportamentos são manifestados na área dos testes (grooming, urinar, defecar e verificações olfativas), quais indivíduos realizaram mais esses comportamentos (fêmeas, machos e machos castrados) e qual categoria animal apresentou maior número de contato. Foram utilizados o método animal focal e a amostragem do comportamento. Observou-se que existe diferença significativa nos contatos entre machos e fêmeas (Fr= 10, 362, p= 0, 006) e averiguou-se que essa diferença também ocorre quando os grupos são agregados (contatos F_M-M_M e contatos F_F-F_M). Fêmeas e machos castrados, quando comparados pelo teste Wilcoxon, apresentaram diferenças significativas no tempo dedicado ao comportamento de grooming(z= 2,95, p= 0,036). Os gatos são indivíduos bastante curiosos, o que facilita o desenvolvimento de um enriquecimento ambiental mais barato com o alcance de respostas comportamentais adequadas. / The transfer of odors between the cats and the environment occurs through physical contact, but also for disposal of excreta. For environmental enrichment can promote behaviors closer view of the natural and extinguish unwanted behaviors, thus contributing to the physical and psychological health of animals. This work aimed to promote the environment for stimuli that cats play behaviors characteristic of the species. We used domestic cats (Felis silvestris catus L.), castrated (around the first year of life) or not, of both sexes. The animals were kept together in a shelter for cats, whose population was approximately 110 individuals, 41 males and 69 females. Five tests were conducted over sixteen months and was recorded: which behaviors are manifested in the area of testing (grooming, urinate, defecate and verification olfactory), which made most people these behaviors (females, males and castrated males) and which category of animal presented more contact. We used the method of sampling and focal animal behavior. It was observed that there is significant difference in contacts between males and females (F = 10, 362, p = 0, 006) and checked that this difference also occurs when the groups are aggregated (F_M contacts and contacts F_F-M_M-F_M ). Females and castrated males, when compared by Wilcoxon test showed significant differences in time devoted to grooming behavior of (z = 2.95, p = 0.036). Cats are very curious people, which facilitates the development of an environmental enrichment cheaper with the range of appropriate behavioral responses.