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Toussaint SLD, Ponstein J, Thoury M, Métivier R, Kalthoff DC, Habermeyer B, Guilard R, Bock S, Mortensen P, Sandberg S, Gueriau P, Amson E. Fur glowing under ultraviolet: in situ analysis of porphyrin accumulation in the skin appendages of mammals. Integr Zool 2023; 18:15-26. [PMID: 35500584 DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Examples of photoluminescence (PL) are being reported with increasing frequency in a wide range of organisms from diverse ecosystems. However, the chemical basis of this PL remains poorly defined, and our understanding of its potential ecological function is still superficial. Among mammals, recent analyses have identified free-base porphyrins as the compounds responsible for the reddish ultraviolet-induced photoluminescence (UV-PL) observed in the pelage of springhares and hedgehogs. However, the localization of the pigments within the hair largely remains to be determined. Here, we use photoluminescence multispectral imaging emission and excitation spectroscopy to detect, map, and characterize porphyrinic compounds in skin appendages in situ. We also document new cases of mammalian UV-PL caused by free-base porphyrins in distantly related species. Spatial distribution of the UV-PL is strongly suggestive of an endogenous origin of the porphyrinic compounds. We argue that reddish UV-PL is predominantly observed in crepuscular and nocturnal mammals because porphyrins are photodegradable. Consequently, this phenomenon may not have a specific function in intra- or interspecific communication but rather represents a byproduct of potentially widespread physiological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Séverine L D Toussaint
- AG Vergleichende Zoologie, Institut für Biologie, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jasper Ponstein
- Museum für Naturkunde Berlin, Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science, Berlin, Germany.,AG Paläobiologie und Evolution, Institut für Biologie, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Mathieu Thoury
- IPANEMA, CNRS, ministère de la Culture, UVSQ, MNHN, USR3461, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Rémi Métivier
- Université Paris-Saclay, ENS Paris-Saclay, CNRS, PPSM, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Daniela C Kalthoff
- Department of Zoology, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Roger Guilard
- ICMUB, UMR CNRS 6302, Université de Bourgogne Franche-Comté, France
| | - Steffen Bock
- Museum für Naturkunde Berlin, Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science, Berlin, Germany
| | - Peter Mortensen
- Department of Zoology, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sverre Sandberg
- Norwegian Porphyria Centre (NAPOS), Haukeland University Hospital, Norwegian Organization for Quality Improvement of Laboratory Examinations (Noklus), and Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bergen, Norway
| | - Pierre Gueriau
- IPANEMA, CNRS, ministère de la Culture, UVSQ, MNHN, USR3461, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France.,Institute of Earth Sciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Eli Amson
- Staatliches Museum für Naturkunde Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
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Pollock ML, Wishart H, Holland JP, Malone FE, Waterhouse A. Photosensitisation of livestock grazing Narthecium ossifragum: Current knowledge and future directions. Vet J 2015; 206:275-83. [PMID: 26324639 DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2015.07.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2014] [Revised: 07/18/2015] [Accepted: 07/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Photosensitisation diseases can cause production and animal welfare losses world-wide. In North-West Europe a photosensitisation disease complex known as 'plochteach', 'yellowses', 'saut' and 'alveld' occurs in lambs on extensive pastures containing bog asphodel (Narthecium ossifragum). Affected lambs develop lesions on the ears, face and sometimes the back, with erythema, oedema, ulceration and necrosis that can be followed by secondary infection and death. Adult sheep appear unaffected, the incidence in lambs varies from year to year and there are variations in susceptibility between- and within-breeds. The definitive cause remains uncertain although ingestion of N. ossifragum, which contains hepatotoxic saponins, has been implicated in the aetiology. However, problems replicating the disease complex by feeding N. ossifragum in a controlled environment have led to alternative hypotheses, including possible intake of toxins from fungal spores and cyanobacteria. Further research is required to assess the putative role of N. ossifragum, the scale of economic and animal welfare losses associated with the disease, how best to identify affected animals before external clinical signs appear and the treatment and management of clinical cases. Given the challenges involved in isolating the causative agent(s) of plochteach, an animal breeding route may be effective if heritability of resistance/susceptibility can be demonstrated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meg L Pollock
- Scotland's Rural College, Hill and Mountain Research Centre, Kirkton Farm, Crianlarich FK20 8RU, UK.
| | - Harriet Wishart
- Scotland's Rural College, Hill and Mountain Research Centre, Kirkton Farm, Crianlarich FK20 8RU, UK
| | - John P Holland
- Scotland's Rural College, Hill and Mountain Research Centre, Kirkton Farm, Crianlarich FK20 8RU, UK
| | - Frank E Malone
- Veterinary Services, SAC Consulting, Auchincruive, Ayr KA6 5AE, UK
| | - Anthony Waterhouse
- Scotland's Rural College, Hill and Mountain Research Centre, Kirkton Farm, Crianlarich FK20 8RU, UK
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