Chemical Characterization of Mammalian Secretions

Secretion of chemical substances is one of the most important means in the animal kingdom to regulate sexual attraction, species-recognition, social organization, territoriality, etc. The term "semiochemical" (greek, semeion = signal) includes all natural chemicals involved in interspecific and intraspecific communication, where semiochemicals operating in an intraspecific manner are called pheromones, and those operating in an interspecific manner are called allelomones. The chemical composition of insect pheromones has been under investigation since decades, whereas mammalian semiochemistry is still in its infancy resulting in a lack of data in terms of chemical structures as well as biological functions. On the contrary to insects it is rather difficult to locate the secretion of pheromones in mammals, which is done, for instance, via skin, urine, faeces or specialized glands found on various parts of the animals body. Many antelope, which belongs to the Bovidae family, are marking their territories with secretions of glands located in front or below the animals eyes or/and between the digits on the forefeet and, therefore, are called preorbital and interdigital glands, respectively. The interdigital secretions of the hartebeest, a rare south African antelope species, which are very likely used for defining territory, are supposed to be investigated on chemical composition and elucidation of active pheromone substances. The analytical instrumentation to accomplish these analyses consists mainly of gas chromatography and gas chromatography - mass spectrometry, which are used for the separation and identification of the compounds. Prior to these analytical investigations suitable sample preparation steps have to be carried out focussing the need of checking the presence of pheromone active components continuously and paying attention to the possible chemical modification of these active compounds due to chemical reactions. The components identified will be synthesized and applicated in suitable mixtures in order to elucidate the biological reactions and functions within this antelope species. In the long run the aim of the project is to develop a lure to facilitate the capturing of the hartebeest to translate them into national parks.