PubHawk
February 2012 PMID 21858053

Predator cat odors activate sexual arousal pathways in brains of Toxoplasma gondii infected rats.

Patrick K House, Ajai Vyas, Robert Sapolsky

Download social card

Mentions

105
Peak: 6 in May 2021
across 6 sources since Apr 2020

Extended reach

47,191
potential audience

Total likes

516

Video views

12,876

Mentions per month

Apr 2020 – Jul 2025

Where it's discussed

  • News54 articles
  • Blogs28 articles
  • X / Twitter11 posts
  • Facebook5 posts
  • Reddit5 posts
  • YouTube2 videos

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The overall discussions demonstrate a moderate level of interest and agreement, with examples like 'Did you know that T gondii infected rats get turned on by cat piss?' revealing curiosity and recognition of the parasite's effects. The tone varies from factual sharing to mild surprise, reflecting a thoughtful yet somewhat casual engagement with the research findings.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions acknowledge and support the idea that Toxoplasma gondii influences brain responses related to fear and attraction.

InterestModerate interest

People show moderate curiosity, evident from comments like 'Did you know that...' and mentions of specific statistics, indicating some engagement with the topic.

EngagementNeutral engagement

Some participants briefly comment or share facts, but few deep dive into implications or mechanisms, leading to a neutral engagement level.

ImpactModerate impact

The discussion hints at the biological importance of parasite-host interactions, but it does not seem to generate widespread societal or scientific controversy or change.

Abstract in brief

  • Toxoplasma gondii infection in rats changes their behavior so they are more attracted to cat odors, which they usually avoid, likely to help the parasite reach cats for reproduction.
  • The parasite specifically affects brain areas involved in fear and sexual attraction, increasing activity in regions tied to attraction when rats smell cat urine, thus overriding their natural defensive responses.
  • This manipulation seems targeted, as Toxoplasma doesn't alter responses to other predator odors or social fears, indicating a specialized way of altering the host's brain to serve its reproductive needs.]
Read the full abstract

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
こなみひでお
@konamih · X

続き。トキソプラズマこわい！ トキソプラズマ感染でラットは猫の匂いに対する大脳辺縁系領域の活動を変化させ，本能的な恐怖を圧倒する性的魅力が引き起こされる。 Predator cat odors activate sexual arousal pathways in brains of Toxoplasma gondii infected rats https://t.co/XWOB9yKZWz

May 21, 2021 · 10 likes · 6 shares · 15,845 followers View post →
UltimApe
@ultimape · X

Did you know that T gondii infected rats get turned on by cat piss? https://t.co/pA421B6yZK

Feb 7, 2021 · 3 likes · 6,758 followers View post →
みーや★ #宇宙機アクセサリー
@NS944A · X

RT @konamih: 続き。トキソプラズマこわい！ トキソプラズマ感染でラットは猫の匂いに対する大脳辺縁系領域の活動を変化させ，本能的な恐怖を圧倒する性的魅力が引き起こされる。 Predator cat odors activate sexual arousal pathw…

May 21, 2021 · 6 shares · 2,649 followers View post →
Antoine Fabri
@antoine_fabri · X

@TheGvs0 @SusannaLHarris claim1 : https://t.co/QRYrLGppw0 claim2 : Actually up to 90% https://t.co/sAmgTFCP9w claim3 : OK, not 3-4, 2.65 https://t.co/YJaJAWYwbQ

Aug 19, 2020 · 2,621 followers View post →
Eighty20 Fact-a-Day
@SAfactaday · X

The parasite, Toxoplasma gondii, affects the brains of male mice, causing them to lose their natural fear of cats and become slightly aroused. Sources: https://t.co/SU9ZttRdcd, https://t.co/Yi6Uu1Qm3y

Feb 3, 2025 · 1,776 followers View post →
日比光則
@m_hibi · X

RT @konamih: 続き。トキソプラズマこわい！ トキソプラズマ感染でラットは猫の匂いに対する大脳辺縁系領域の活動を変化させ，本能的な恐怖を圧倒する性的魅力が引き起こされる。 Predator cat odors activate sexual arousal pathw…

May 21, 2021 · 6 shares · 1,307 followers View post →

All mentions

Eighty20 Fact-a-Day
@SAfactaday · X

The parasite, Toxoplasma gondii, affects the brains of male mice, causing them to lose their natural fear of cats and become slightly aroused. Sources: https://t.co/SU9ZttRdcd, https://t.co/Yi6Uu1Qm3y

Feb 3, 2025 · 1,776 followers View post →
mrk369
@mrk3692 · X

RT @konamih: 続き。トキソプラズマこわい！ トキソプラズマ感染でラットは猫の匂いに対する大脳辺縁系領域の活動を変化させ，本能的な恐怖を圧倒する性的魅力が引き起こされる。 Predator cat odors activate sexual arousal pathw…

May 21, 2021 · 6 shares · 368 followers View post →
日比光則
@m_hibi · X

RT @konamih: 続き。トキソプラズマこわい！ トキソプラズマ感染でラットは猫の匂いに対する大脳辺縁系領域の活動を変化させ，本能的な恐怖を圧倒する性的魅力が引き起こされる。 Predator cat odors activate sexual arousal pathw…

May 21, 2021 · 6 shares · 1,307 followers View post →
Yamanami
@yamanamitakeshi · X

RT @konamih: 続き。トキソプラズマこわい！ トキソプラズマ感染でラットは猫の匂いに対する大脳辺縁系領域の活動を変化させ，本能的な恐怖を圧倒する性的魅力が引き起こされる。 Predator cat odors activate sexual arousal pathw…

May 21, 2021 · 6 shares · 926 followers View post →
みーや★ #宇宙機アクセサリー
@NS944A · X

RT @konamih: 続き。トキソプラズマこわい！ トキソプラズマ感染でラットは猫の匂いに対する大脳辺縁系領域の活動を変化させ，本能的な恐怖を圧倒する性的魅力が引き起こされる。 Predator cat odors activate sexual arousal pathw…

May 21, 2021 · 6 shares · 2,649 followers View post →
こっぱ
@gyaroon · X

RT @konamih: 続き。トキソプラズマこわい！ トキソプラズマ感染でラットは猫の匂いに対する大脳辺縁系領域の活動を変化させ，本能的な恐怖を圧倒する性的魅力が引き起こされる。 Predator cat odors activate sexual arousal pathw…

May 21, 2021 · 6 shares · 477 followers View post →
こなみひでお
@konamih · X

続き。トキソプラズマこわい！ トキソプラズマ感染でラットは猫の匂いに対する大脳辺縁系領域の活動を変化させ，本能的な恐怖を圧倒する性的魅力が引き起こされる。 Predator cat odors activate sexual arousal pathways in brains of Toxoplasma gondii infected rats https://t.co/XWOB9yKZWz

May 21, 2021 · 10 likes · 6 shares · 15,845 followers View post →
Joemath
@Joemath3 · X

RT @tuCpakoa:

Feb 16, 2021 · 1 share · 1,234 followers View post →
UltimApe
@ultimape · X

Did you know that T gondii infected rats get turned on by cat piss? https://t.co/pA421B6yZK

Feb 7, 2021 · 3 likes · 6,758 followers View post →
Antoine Fabri
@antoine_fabri · X

@TheGvs0 @SusannaLHarris claim1 : https://t.co/QRYrLGppw0 claim2 : Actually up to 90% https://t.co/sAmgTFCP9w claim3 : OK, not 3-4, 2.65 https://t.co/YJaJAWYwbQ

Aug 19, 2020 · 2,621 followers View post →
Jeff A Parke
@Living_With_CKD · X

Predator Cat Odors Activate Sexual Arousal Pathways in Brains of Toxoplasma gondii Infected Rats https://t.co/r5eHfJ763G

Apr 7, 2020 · 280 followers View post →