Scent glands proteins

Behavioural testing of protein fractions has not kept pace with semiochemical studies. Belcher et al. (1990) found that the mixed scent marks of the Saddle-backed Tamarin (S. fusicollis) comprise urine and genital/suprapubic gland secretions. Both sexes deposit mixtures of pheromonally active large molecules at, for example, exudate feeding... 

The scent mark of the saddle-back tamarin, Saguinusfuscicollis, contains water-soluble proteins. The major protein (66kDa) of the scent mark occurs in the urine, while another major protein (ISkDa) derives from gland secretions. If the proteins are removed by enzymatic degradation, tamarins still discriminate scent marks from different donor types. However, they are able to discriminate scents with intact proteins from those with the proteins digested. Consequently, the proteins are most likely an integral part of the scent image (Belcher et ah, 1990). 

Relatively non-volatile materials such as the proteins (10-30kDa) and lipids in the femoral gland secretion of desert iguanas, D. dorsalis, may strongly absorb long-wave ultraviolet (300-500 nm). Desert iguanas actually locate scent marks better under ultraviolet light (Alberts, 1989). 

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