Volatile compounds from the red deer (Cervus elaphus) Secretion from the tail gland

Distribution of Deer Keds (Diptera: Hippoboscidae) in Free-Living Cervids of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines, Central Italy, and Establishment of the Allochthonous Ectoparasite Lipoptena fortisetosa

Simple Summary

In recent years, the increased presence of wildlife in habitats close to urban settlements has raised concerns about the risk of pathogen transmission from wild animals to humans due to the spread of different parasites. For this reason, a survey aimed at describing the dispersal and parasitism level of two cervid ectoparasites was carried out in the northern Apennines, in central Italy. The presence of two hippoboscids, the autochthonous Lipoptena cervi and allochthonous L. fortisetosa, native to Eastern Asia and recently recorded in Italy, were assessed on their main host species (red deer, fallow deer, and roe deer), considering host sex and age. The alien species L. fortisetosa was found to be widespread in the study area, most likely competing with L. cervi. Moreover, red deer seemed to be the favored host of both flies, with differences in sex and age class preferences. This study demonstrated the importance of regularly monitoring the populations of these parasites, especially the invasive species, due to the risks to human health, as these insects are potential vectors of pathogens.

Abstract

Lipoptena fortisetosa and L. cervi are hematophagous ectoparasites belonging to the Hippoboscidae family and preferentially living on cervids. In recent years, they have received specific attention due to the great increase in the abundance of their host species, and to their medical and veterinary importance as possible vectors of pathogens harmful to humans and animals. The aim of this study was to investigate the parasitism level of both of these flies on their main hosts in Italy, which are red deer, fallow deer, and roe deer, and to highlight a possible preference for a species, sex, or age class among the hosts. Deer keds were collected by examining 326 cervids hunted in the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines. Outcomes showed that L. fortisetosa has greatly spread throughout the study area, where it competes with the autochthonous L. cervi. Moreover, red deer was the favored host species of both ectoparasites, while different preferences for host sex and age classes were observed in the two hippoboscids. The regular monitoring of deer ked populations, especially the allochthonous L. fortisetosa, which is continuously spreading in Europe, is recommended to expand the knowledge on these parasitic species that are potentially dangerous to public health.

Volatile Cues Influence Host-Choice in Arthropod Pests

Many arthropod pests of humans and other animals select their preferred hosts by recognising volatile odour compounds contained in the hosts' 'volatilome'. Although there is prolific literature on chemical emissions from humans, published data on volatiles and vector attraction in other species are more sporadic. Despite several decades since the identification of a small number of critical volatiles underpinning specific host-vector relationships, synthetic chemicals or mixtures still largely fail to reproduce the attractiveness of natural hosts to their disease vectors. This review documents allelochemicals from non-human terrestrial animals and considers where challenges in collection and analysis have left shortfalls in animal volatilome research. A total of 1287 volatile organic compounds were identified from 141 species. Despite comparable diversity of entities in each compound class, no specific chemical is ubiquitous in all species reviewed, and over half are reported as unique to a single species. This review provides a rationale for future enquiries by highlighting research gaps, such as disregard for the contribution of breath volatiles to the whole animal volatilome and evaluating the role of allomones as vector deterrents. New opportunities to improve vector surveillance and disrupt disease transmission may be unveiled by understanding the host-associated stimuli that drive vector-host interactions.

The intensity of male-male competition may affect chemical scent constituents in the dark ventral patch of male Iberian red deer

During the mating season, Iberian red deer males (Cervus elaphus hispanicus) present a large visible dark ventral area in their abdomen. This characteristic dark-haired area is formed by the impregnation of the hair with sprayed urine and gland secretions and contains volatile compounds that can be used in intraspecific communication. Here, we used gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to describe the lipophilic chemicals from the dark ventral patch of males from different populations with different levels of intrasexual competition. Amongst all the compounds found, m-cresol, benzoic acid, cholesterol and 4-hydroxy-benzenopropanoic acid were the most abundant. The proportions of these compounds varied with age as well as with the level of intra-sexual competition, independently of age. In particular, red deer males experiencing higher intra-sexual competition had lower proportions of aromatic compounds (especially m-cresol) but higher proportions of carboxylic acids on their dark bellies. Males in a high male-male competition situation, invest in volatile compounds that can reveal their age, dominance status and condition, and that, in addition, enhance this signal. On the contrary, males from low intra-sexual competition populations have chemical profiles more characteristic of young individuals. This research shows a first glance of how secretion of volatile compounds of male deer can be modulated due to the intensity of male-male competition in the population.

Studies on the physicochemical characteristics of the New Zealand deer's tail, Cervus elaphus var. scoticus (III)

This study was designed to determine the nutritional profile and functional components of the NZT (New Zealand deer's tail, Cervus elaphus var. scoticus Lönnberg). Twenty-nine fatty acids, eighteen amino acids, twenty-five minerals, chondroitin, and phospholipids were detected by the auto-fatty acid analyzer, auto-amino acid analyzer, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrophotometer, absorbance measurements, and by weighing after separating, respectively. 7-Ketocholesterol was isolated from alcohol extract by silica gel column chromatography analysis. Four steroid hormones (androstene-3,17-dione, β-estradiol, testosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone), one base and seven nucleosides, and N-acetylneuraminic acid were detected by a HPLC-photodiode array and HPLC-fluorescence detector. As a result, NZT was composed of many nutritional and functional ingredients found in New Zealand deer's antler (NZA) which was one of deer co-products, and it was considered that NZT could be a novel health food resource such as NZA.

Methylsulfonylmethane: Applications and Safety of a Novel Dietary Supplement

Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) has become a popular dietary supplement used for a variety of purposes, including its most common use as an anti-inflammatory agent. It has been well-investigated in animal models, as well as in human clinical trials and experiments. A variety of health-specific outcome measures are improved with MSM supplementation, including inflammation, joint/muscle pain, oxidative stress, and antioxidant capacity. Initial evidence is available regarding the dose of MSM needed to provide benefit, although additional work is underway to determine the precise dose and time course of treatment needed to provide optimal benefits. As a Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) approved substance, MSM is well-tolerated by most individuals at dosages of up to four grams daily, with few known and mild side effects. This review provides an overview of MSM, with details regarding its common uses and applications as a dietary supplement, as well as its safety for consumption.

Chemical profile of the cutaneous gland secretions from male pampas deer ( Ozotoceros bezoarticus )

Various cutaneous glands have been identified as sources of chemical signals that mediate many social interactions in deer. The pampas deer, a species considered near threatened, inhabits grasslands of South America. In this work, the chemical compositions from preorbital, tarsal, and digital gland secretions of semi-captive males were characterized by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The composition of these secretions showed a great complexity, with 143 compounds detected. Hierarchical cluster and principal component analyses show no relation to age or secretion type. Five compound classes (esters, fatty alcohols, lactones, sterols, and sulphuretted) differed with glands. The chemical complexity of the secretions, the individual differences in the whole compounds composition, and the absence of clustering by age lead to the hypothesis that these secretions may encode at once for individual information and for social status information.

Varias glándulas cutáneas han sido identificadas como productoras de señales químicas que median interacciones sociales en losciervos. El venado de las pampas es una especie considerada casi amenazada que habita los pastizales de Sudamérica. En este trabajo se caracterizó la composición química de las secreciones de las glándulas preorbital, tarsal e interdigital de machos por cromatografía de gases-espectrometría de masas. Estas secreciones mostraron una gran complejidad en su composición, con 143 compuestos detectados. No se observó ninguna agrupación de compuestos relacionada con la edad o el tipo de secreción. Cinco clases de compuestos (ésteres, alcoholes grasos, lactonas, esteroles, y compuestos azufrados) difirieron de acuerdo al origen glandular. La complejidad química de las secreciones, las diferencias individuales en dicha composición, y la ausencia de agrupamiento por edad, llevan a postular la hipótesis de que estas secreciones pueden codificar a la vez tanto información individual como del estado social.

Metabolic fingerprint of dimethyl sulfone (DMSO2) in microbial-mammalian co-metabolism

There is growing awareness that intestinal microbiota alters the energy harvesting capacity of the host and regulates metabolism. It has been postulated that intestinal microbiota are able to degrade unabsorbed dietary components and transform xenobiotic compounds. The resulting microbial metabolites derived from the gastrointestinal tract can potentially enter the circulation system, which, in turn, affects host metabolism. Yet, the metabolic capacity of intestinal microbiota and its interaction with mammalian metabolism remains largely unexplored. Here, we review a metabolic pathway that integrates the microbial catabolism of methionine with mammalian metabolism of methanethiol (MT), dimethyl sulfide (DMS), and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), which together provide evidence that supports the microbial origin of dimethyl sulfone (DMSO2) in the human metabolome. Understanding the pathway of DMSO2 co-metabolism expends our knowledge of microbial-derived metabolites and motivates future metabolomics-based studies on ascertaining the metabolic consequences of intestinal microbiota on human health, including detoxification processes and sulfur xenobiotic metabolism.

Musk deer (Moschus moschiferus): Reinvestigation of main lipid components from preputial gland secretion

The qualitative and quantitative composition of the principal lipid constituents of Siberian musk deer (Moschus moschiferus) preputial gland secretion, main odor carriers and potential precursors of odorous substances, was investigated by means of high-performance liquid chromatography. Free fatty acids and phenols (10%), waxes (38%), and steroids (38%) were found to be the main groups of the secretion lipids. Cholestanol (I), cholesterol (II), androsterone (III), Δ(4)-3α-hydroxy-17-ketoandrostene (IV), 5β, 3α-hydroxy-17-ketoandrostane (V), 5α, 3β, 17α-dihydroxyandrostane (VI), 5β, 3α, 17β-dihydroxyandrostane (VII), and 5β, 3α, 17α-dihydroxyandrostane (VIII) were isolated from the steroid fraction and their structures confirmed by IR, PMR, and mass spectra. 3-Methylpentadecanone (muscone) was not identified among the secretion lipids. Preputial gland secretion stimulated sex behavior of musk deer females.

Glycocomposition of the apocrine interdigital gland secretions in the fallow deer (Dama dama)

The secretions of the tubular interdigital glands were investigated by conventional (Periodic-Acid Schiff, Alcian-Blue at different pH, Low Iron Diamine and High Iron Diamine) and lectin (Con-A, UEA-I, LTA, WGA, GSA-II, GSA-IB4, SBA, PNA, ECA, DBA, MAL-II and SNA) histochemical methods in adult males and females of different age of fallow deer during the breeding season. Sialidase digestion and deacetylation pre-treatment were also employed in conjunction with lectin histochemistry. The glandular epithelium consisted of a single layer of low columnar cells with typical apical protrusions. No substantial differences of the above histochemical staining in relation to sex and age were observed. Conventional histochemical staining revealed that the interdigital glands secreted neutral glycoproteins whereas acidic glycocomponents did not seem to be present. Lectin histochemical technique allowed us to disclose a great heterogeneity of glycoproteins with N- and O-linked oligosaccharides containing alpha-d-Man/alpha-d-Glc, GlcNAc, alpha-Fuc, terminal beta-d-Gal-(1-3)-d-GalNAc, -d-Gal-(1-4)-d-GlcNAc, alpha-Gal and beta-GalNAc residues. beta-GalNAc and disaccharide beta-d-Gal-(1-3)-d-GalNAc were also found as subterminal to sialyl moieties. The lack of sexual and age-related differences in the glucidic content of the glandular secretions seems to indicate that the glycoderivatives may play only an accessory role in the production of odoriferous signals in fallow deer.