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Preferences for scratchers in adult cats have not yet been explored. Thirty-six adult cats were the subjects in three experiments to evaluate adult cat in-home preferences for scratchers, scratching materials, and the use of scratchers with added olfactory stimuli. Scratchers compared in each of the first two experiments were presented to cats at the same time with randomized sequences of how scratchers lined up together among homes. Cats had access to scratchers for a one-week video-recorded observation period. Frequency and duration of daily scratching and interactions, as well as calculated preference indexes (PIs) of these measurements were compared among scratchers. In Exp. 1, laying, S-shaped cardboard and standing cardboard scratchers were compared. The PIs were higher (n = 7 houses, 18 cats, P 0.10). In Exp. 2, preferences of scratchers covered with rope, cardboard, sofa fabric, and carpet were observed (n = 14 houses, 25 cats, P ≤ 0.05). Scratchers covered with rope and cardboard had higher (P ≤ 0.05) behavioral interactions than scratchers with sofa fabric. In Exp. 3, the effects of feline interdigital semiochemicals (FIS), powdered catnip (CN), and silver vine (SV) on the use of scratchers were investigated. Each treatment was delivered in a sock hung on a standing cardboard scratcher and compared to a control scratcher with an untreated sock for two days. Catnip increased the scratching duration (n = 7 houses, W = 14, P = 0.02), and the interaction duration (n = 7 houses, W = 14, P = 0.02) and frequency (n = 7 houses, W = 14, P = 0.02) compa red to control. Silver vine also increased the duration (n = 7 houses, W = 14, P = 0.02) and frequency (n = 7 houses, W = 14, P = 0.02) of the interactions. Both CN- and SV-treated scratchers had higher (n = 7 houses, 20 cats, P ≤ 0.05) PIs of scratching and interaction related measurements compared to the FIS-treated scratcher. Scratchers in an upright form covered with cardboard or rope may be suitable for adult household cats and the application of CN or SV can be helpful in increasing the use of scratchers.

Overexpression of the transcription factor, E2F8, has been associated with ovarian cancer. Objectives of this study were to determine: 1) if E2F8 gene expression in granulosa cells (GC) and theca cells (TC) change with follicular development, and 2) if E2F8 mRNA abundance in TC and GC is hormonally regulated. Using real-time PCR, E2F8 mRNA abundance in GC and TC was greater (P 0.05) in small than large follicles. FGF9 induced an increase (P 0.05) in E2F8 mRNA abundance by 1.6- to 7-fold in large-follicle (8-20 mm) TC and GC as well as in small-follicle (1-5 mm) GC. Abundance of E2F8 mRNA in TC was increased (P 0.05) with FGF2, FGF9 or VEGFA treatments alone in vitro, and concomitant treatment of VEGFA with FGF9 increased (P 0.05) abundance of E2F8 mRNA above any of the singular treatments; BMP4, WNT3A and LH were without effect. IGF1 amplified the stimulatory effect of FGF9 on E2F8 mRNA abundance by 2.7-fold. Collectively, our studies show for the first time that follicular E2F8 is developmentally and hormonally regulated indicating that E2F8 may be involved in follicular development.