Chemical investigations of wolf (Canis lupus) anal-sac secretion in relation to breeding season

Abstract

The volatile constituents of wolf anal-sac secretions were examined via capillary gas chromatography and compared among intact males, females, castrate males, ovariectomized females, and anosmic and pinealectomized males and females. Some chemical compounds were deemed significantly different (t test, 95% confidence level) among the groups both during and outside of the mating season, implying that the volatile components of anal-sac secretion can be used to communicate information regarding gender or endocrine state. As a result of treating the anal sac with antibiotics, some of these compounds, including 1-octen-3-ol and indole, were implicated as being products of microbial action. In addition, short-chain carboxylic acids were investigated and essentially no significant variations were seen among the groups.

Spore Dispersal of Fetid Lysurus mokusin by Feces of Mycophagous Insects

“…This is consistent with previous indications that scents mimicking those of herbivore feces have high p-cresol and/or aliphatic acid contents, which are typical characteristics of odors associated with decaying materials (Jürgens et al 2006(Jürgens et al , 2013. Phenol is a common metabolite in excreta of animals and known to attract flies (Foster and Harris 1997;Lane and Fraser 1999;Liu et al 2005), while indole has been identified in volatiles emitted by feces of mustelids and wolves (Brinck et al 1983;Raymer et al 1985). Numerous saprophagous and coprophagous visitors (and hence potential spore dispersers) were observed on the fetid fungus, including earwigs, flies, nitidulids, and rove beetles (Fig.…”

Olfactory discrimination of anal sac secretions in the domestic cat and the chemical profiles of the volatile compounds

“…(Zhang et al 2002, 2005). Chemical analyses of anal sac secretions of the red fox ( Vulpes vulpes ), dog ( Canis familiaris ), coyote ( Canis latrans ), wolf ( Canis lupus ), and mongoose have identified volatile short-chain free fatty acids, such as acetic acid, propanoic acid, and butanoic acid as being responsible for the odors (Albone and Perry 1976; Apps et al 2012; Decker et al 1992; Preti et al 1976; Raymer et al 1985). …”

The Social Behaviour of Neutered Male Dogs Compared to Intact Dogs (Canis Lupus Familiaris): Video Analyses, Questionnaires and Case Studies

“…31 Testosterone probably does have an important inpact on the urine composition. In a study by Raymer et al 28 on the chemical composition of the urine in canids, it was found that certain substances were not present in the urine of the castrates. By treatment with testosterone, however, the neutered males had the same concentration of these substances as the intact males.…”

“…They are Vet Med Open J also assigned an alarm function. 28 The fact that castrated male dogs are more frequently harassed and sniffed, and that their genital and inguinal area are more frequently examined by the intact males, indicates a possibly increased attractiveness of the castrated males in relation to the intact males. Preferably, the genital region of bitches or faeces is intensively inspected and also licked in the estrus phase.…”