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Govindaraju Archunan - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • identification of gaba β receptor protein and farnesol in the Preputial Gland of bandicoot rat bandicota indica
    Advances in Zoology and Botany, 2016
    Co-Authors: Ponnirul Ponmanickam, Samuthirapandi Muniasamy, Thangavel Rajagopal, Rengasamy Lakshminarayanan Rengarajan, Govindaraju Archunan
    Abstract:

    Preputial Gland is one of the prime sources of pheromones in rats. The study on pheromone identification in Preputial Gland is well established in laboratory rat, house rat and voles. But the study was lacking in the Preputial Gland of bandicoot rats. Hence, the present investigation was aimed to identify the volatile and protein profiles of Preputial Gland of male bandicoot rat. Gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS) profiles revealed the presence of 47 volatile compounds in the Preputial Gland. More specifically, the farnesol was found to be a major compound in the Preputial Gland which is consistent with previous reports in the Preputial Gland of few other rodents. The histoarchitecture results showed that the Preputial Gland of male exhibited more acini cells. The protein profiles of Preputial Gland showed 12 prominent bands in coomassie brilliant blue stained gel. The low molecular mass protein, 19 kDa has been identified as gamma-amino butyric acid type B receptor subunit I (GABAβ receptor) by MALDI-ToF analysis. Further, to the best our knowledge, this is the first time we explored the absence of alpha 2u globulin in the 19 kDa band of Preputial Gland of bandicoot rat. This is in contrast to the presence of alpha 2u globulin in the Preputial Gland of laboratory rat (Rattus norvegicus) as well as house rat (Rattus rattus). The present study concludes that among the volatiles and protein analysis performed in the Preputial Gland, farnesol appears to be a prominent compound and the GABAβ receptor protein was identified in 19 kDa band in bandicoot rats.

  • Preputial Gland activates olfactory receptor neurons in rat calcium imaging study using laser scanning confocal microscopy
    Indian Journal of Biochemistry & Biophysics, 2013
    Co-Authors: Ponnirul Ponmanickam, Govindaraju Archunan, Shanmugam Achiraman, Ramaiyan Sankar, Toshiyuki Saito, Yoshiaki Habara
    Abstract:

    The rodent Preputial Gland is one of the major sources of odours and is reported to be involved in several behavioural activities. However, how the Preputial Gland initiates the olfactory response to manifest the effects is not known. Olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) present in the olfactory epithelium are involved in the perception of odorant/pheromonal compounds. In the present study, the response of rat ORNs to Preputial Gland extract was evaluated by calcium imaging analysis. We found that some rat ORNs responded to the Preputial Gland extract by exhibiting an intracellular calcium response. By contrast, the ORNs did not respond at all to the foot pad extract (control). The results indicated that the substances contained in the Preputial Gland might interact with a type of receptor expressed in the female rat ORNs, suggested to manifest the behavioural responses, such as social and sexual interactions. This study provided the first evidence of activation of ORNs by the Preputial Gland extract.

  • identification of testosterone dependent volatile compounds and proteins in the Preputial Gland of rat rattus norvegicus
    General and Comparative Endocrinology, 2010
    Co-Authors: Ponnirul Ponmanickam, Yoshiaki Habara, Krishnamoorthy Palanivelu, Shanmugam Govindaraj, Ramaswamy Baburajendran, Govindaraju Archunan
    Abstract:

    Abstract Preputial Gland is one of the best known and most odour-producing organs in many non-primate mammals. It is generally believed that the development of this Gland and functions are regulated by testosterone. To substantiate this point, the present study was aimed to evaluate the testosterone-dependent volatile compounds and proteins in the Preputial Gland of rat adopting castration and testosterone supplementation. The results revealed that four compounds, geranyl linalool isomer, oxirane, farnesol and lanosterol, are testosterone-dependent. Similarly, a low molecular mass protein with molecular weight 18 kDa, supposed to be a pheromone carrier, also is shown to be testosterone-dependent. This study leads to the conclusion that testosterone-dependent compounds and sex-associated protein are present in the Preputial Gland of rat which may act as a sex pheromone and pheromone carrier, respectively.

  • detection of α2u globulin and its bound putative pheromones in the Preputial Gland of the indian commensal rat rattus rattus using mass spectrometry
    Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry, 2010
    Co-Authors: Govindaraju Archunan, Shanmugam Achiraman, R Rajkumar, R Ilayaraja, Chenchung Liao, Sunita Prakash, Wailap Victor Ng, Y G Tsay
    Abstract:

    The role of pheromones and pheromone-binding proteins in the laboratory rat has been extensively investigated. However, we have previously reported that the Preputial Gland of the Indian commensal rat produces a variety of pheromonal molecules and Preputial Glands would seem to be the predominant source for pheromonal communication. The presence of pheromone-binding proteins has not yet been identified in the Preputial Gland of the Indian commensal rat; therefore, the experiments were designed to unravel the alpha(2u)-globulin (alpha 2u) and its bound volatiles in the commensal rat. Total Preputial Glandular proteins were first fractionated by sodium dodecyl sulfate/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and subsequently analyzed by mass spectrometry. Further, we purified alpha 2u and screened for the presence of bound pheromonal molecules with the aid of gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). A novel alpha 2u was identified with a high score and this protein has not been previously described as present in the Preputial Gland of Indian commensal rats.This novel alpha 2u was then characterized by tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). Peptides with m/z values of 969, 1192, 1303 and 1876 were further fragmented with the aid of MS/MS and generated de novo sequences which provided additional evidence for the presence of alpha 2u in the Preputial Gland. Finally, we identified the presence of farnesol 1 and 2 bound to alpha 2u. The present investigation confirms the presence of alpha 2u (18.54 kDa) in the Preputial Gland of the Indian commensal rat and identifies farnesol 1 and 2 as probably involved in chemo-communication by the Indian commensal rat.Copyright (C) 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

  • identification of sex associated protein in the Preputial Gland of house rat a new insight in rodent pest management
    Acta Physiologica Hungarica, 2006
    Co-Authors: Soundararajan Kamalakkannan, Shanmugam Achiraman, R Rajkumar, Ramesh K Kumar, Govindaraju Archunan
    Abstract:

    Our recent findings revealed that the Preputial Gland of male house rat contains 20 kDa protein , however, the role of androgen in the production of t his protein is not known. Hence, the present study was carried out to evaluate the androgen dependency of 20 kDa protein in the Preputial Gland of house rat ( Rattus rattus ) and to compare its presence in female clitoral Gland. Further, on castration the am ount of Glandular protein in male was significantly decreased to a certain extent, while testosterone treatment on castrated males showed an increasing trend. The electrophorogram of male house rat showed six different protein fractions with molecular weig hts of 90, 70, 60, 50, 35 and 20 kDa. However, the 70, 60, 50 and 35 kDa were absent in female. Among the different fractions, 90 and 20 kDa proteins were prominent. On castration, the 20 kDa protein was disappeared; while on testosterone treatment the pro tein reappeared. Thus, the present study concludes that the 20 kDa protein is a testosterone dependent sex associated protein. Since urinary protein is found to act as carrier for volatile substances in pheromonal communication . The present study suggests that the Glandular protein may bind with the volatile compounds produced from Preputial Gland. Identification of this carrier protein in the Preputial Gland explores the possibility of developing pheromonal trap for rodent pest management (RPM).

E. Vernet-maury - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • The Mother Rat’s Vomeronasal Organ Is Involved in Detection of Dodecyl Propionate, the Pup’s Preputial Gland Pheromone
    Physiology & Behavior, 1999
    Co-Authors: I Brouettelahlou, F. Godinot, E. Vernet-maury
    Abstract:

    Abstract BROUETTE–LAHLOU, I., F. GODINOT AND E. VERNET–MAURY. The mother rat’s vomeronasal organ is involved in detection of dodecyl propionate, the pup’s Preputial Gland pheromone. PHYSIOL BEHAV 66 (3) 427–436, 1999.—The aim of the present study was to analyze the respective roles of main and accessory olfactory systems in a particular pattern of Wistar rat maternal behavior: specific licking of pup’s anogenital areas, a behavioral pattern crucial to pup survival—nonlicked pups cannot defecate, and die. Dodecyl propionate (DP), a chemical agent from rat pup’s Preputial Glands was found to direct and regulate pup’s anogenital licking. Primiparous dams underwent one of the following treatments: surgical removal of the vomeronasal organ (hereafter VNX), irrigation of nasal cavities with 5% ZnSO 4 solution (ZN), both these treatments (VNX + ZN), surgical control (SC), saline irrigation control (SA), both these treatments (SC + SA), and normal control (N). Fewer pups (only 75%) of VNX dams survived to 15 days of age compared to controls or to females rendered anosmic by zinc-sulfate irrigation of the nasal cavity (>95% survival). Furthermore, pup growth (mass increase over time) was impaired by VNX and/or ZN treatment. Greater than normal amounts of time were spent licking pups’ anogenital area by VNX females, although these dams did not spend as much time as normal females in close contact with either pups heads or filter papers anointed with dodecyl propionate. The experiments reported herein suggest that the chemosensory receptors in the vomeronasal organ of dams mediate MAGL responses to pup pheromone, dodecyl propionate, a pheromone from pups’ Preputial Glands secretion, sustaining pups’ anogenital licking by dams.

  • Dodecyl propionate, attractant from rat pup Preputial Gland: Characterization and identification
    Journal of Chemical Ecology, 1991
    Co-Authors: I. Brouette-lahlou, R. Amouroux, F. Chastrette, J. Cosnier, J. Stoffelsma, E. Vernet-maury
    Abstract:

    A chemical agent contained in the rat pup Preputial Gland was found to regulate anogenital licking, a behavioral pattern crucial to pup survival. Combined gas chromatography and mass spectrometric analysis led to identification of four components in addition to high molecular alkanes (waxes). Independent synthesis added to behavioral observations were used to quantify the dam's response to these components. Among them, dodecyl propionate (DP), a pheromone-like compound, appears to be the only one efficient enough to induce, in the dam, behavior patterns similar to those observed with crude lipidic extract from the Preputial Gland secretion. Various esters previously were predicted in the adult rat Preputial Gland. DP is the first ester identified from mammalian infant tissue. These results, in combination with previous findings, allow discussion of the DP pheromonal role.

Robert L Rosenfield - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • androgen receptor expression in the Preputial Gland and its sebocytes
    Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 1994
    Co-Authors: Kazumasa Miyake, Nancy Ciletti, Shutsung Liao, Robert L Rosenfield
    Abstract:

    As in other sebaceous Glands, Preputial Gland sebocytes are stimulated to proliferate and produce lipid by androgen. As a necessary step in understanding the role of androgen in sebaceous Gland growth and development, we have undertaken studies to determine the relationship between androgen receptor gene expression and sebocyte differentiation. Sebocytes throughout the Preputial Gland, with the exception of some basal sebocytes, stain intensely for androgen receptor. Quantitative assessment of androgen receptor mRNA by RNase protection assay confirms that androgen receptor mRNA abundance is similar in sebaceous and prostate epithelial cells, but is tenfold less in epidermal cells. When sebocytes were separated according to their state of differentiation by gradient density centrifugation, sebocytes in the 1.080 density fraction contrasted with the more buoyant fractions in that they immunostained weakly for androgen receptors. The 1.080 fraction consists of approximately 50% immature (undifferentiated and early differentiated) sebocytes, whereas more mature sebocytes predominate in the other fractions. Androgen receptor mRNA quantity was found by RNase protection assay to be half as great in the 1.080 density fraction as in the fractions in which more mature sebocytes predominate. In primary monolayer culture androgen receptor mRNA content was significantly higher in sebaceous epithelial cells than in epidermal cells and similar to that in the 1.080 fraction of freshly dispersed sebocytes. These results suggest that there is little if any androgen receptor gene expression in undifferentiated Preputial sebocytes and that androgen receptor gene expression increases as sebocytes begin to differentiate. Because androgen receptor expression seems to approach its maximum as sebocytes attain mid-differentiation, the stage at which sebocytes switch from a proliferative mode to commence their specialized holocrine function, androgen is postulated to play a direct role in regulating these aspects of sebocyte development.

Jianxu Zhang - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • dual role of Preputial Gland secretion and its major components in sex recognition of mice
    Physiology & Behavior, 2008
    Co-Authors: Jianxu Zhang, Jinhua Zhang
    Abstract:

    This study was aimed at validating the sexual attractiveness of hexadecanol and hexadecyl acetate, two putative pheromone compounds, from Preputial Gland secretion of mice. These two compounds have been reported to be among the major components of Preputial Gland secretion in both sexes but higher in quantity in males than females. In this study, we show that castration suppressed the production of the two compounds, further suggesting their association with maleness. Adding Preputial Gland secretion and the synthetic analogs of the two compounds to castrated male urine at their physiological levels in intact males increased the attractiveness of castrated male urine to female mice, showing that the two compounds were indeed male pheromones. Furthermore, their sexual attractiveness disappeared upon removing the vomeronasal organs (VNOs) from female recipients. Replenishing castrated male urine with Preputial Gland secretion and the two compounds at their physiological levels in females increased the attractiveness of castrated male urine to males. Such a reversal of sexual attractiveness for hexadecanol and hexadecyl acetate suggests that they had opposing dual effects in sexual attractiveness in a dosage-dependent manner.

  • putative chemical signals about sex individuality and genetic background in the Preputial Gland and urine of the house mouse mus musculus
    Chemical Senses, 2007
    Co-Authors: Jianxu Zhang, Chenghua Zhao
    Abstract:

    To explore whether Preputial Gland secretions and/or urine from the house mouse (Mus musculus) can be used for coding information about sex, individuality, and/or the genetic background of strain [ICR/albino, Kunming (KM), and C57BL/6], we compared the volatile compositions of mouse Preputial Glands and urine using a combination of dichloromethane extraction and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Of the 40 identified compounds in Preputial Gland secretions, 31 were esters, 2 sesquiterpens, and 7 alcohols. We failed to find any compound unique to a specific sex, individual, or strain. However, many low molecular weight compounds between the sexes, most compounds among individuals, and several compounds among the 3 strains varied significantly in relative ratios. These quantitative differences in Preputial Gland volatiles (analog coding) are likely to convey information about sex, individual, and the genetic background of mouse strain. We identified 2 new main and male-elevated compounds, 1-hexadecanol (Z = 3.676, P = 0.000, N = 19 in ICR; Z = 3.576, P = 0.000, N = 18) and 1-hexadecanol acetate (Z = 3.429, P = 0.000, N = 19 in ICR; Z = 3.225, P = 0.001, N = 18), which were eluted in GC chromatogram after the 2 sesquiterpens. They might also be potential male pheromones, in addition to the well-known E-b-farnesene and E,E-a-farnesene. Additionally, a few compounds including 1-hexadecanol also varied with strains and might also code for genetic information. Of the 9 identified volatile compounds in male urine, (s)-2-sec-butyl-4,5-dihydrothiazole and R,R-3,4-dehydroexo-brevicomin are known urine-originated male pheromones from previous studies. We also detected 6-hydroxy-6-methyl3-heptanone, a male urinary pheromonal compound, which had not been directly detected by GC–MS previously. Chemical analysis shows that the genetically more closely related ICR and KM strains had a higher similarity in the volatile compositions of Preputial Glands and urine than that between ICR or KM and C57BL/6. R,R-3,4-dehydro-exo-brevicomin, in particular, was sensitive to genetic shifts and differed in relative abundance among the 3 strains, whereas (s)-2-sec-butyl-4,5-dihydrothiazole differed between ICR or Km and C57BL/6. Hence, these 2 compounds might code for information about their genetic background.

Katsuhiko Yoshizawa - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Chapter 20 – Specialized Sebaceous Glands—Zymbal’s Gland, Preputial Gland, Clitoral Gland, and Perianal Gland
    Boorman's Pathology of the Rat, 2018
    Co-Authors: Katsuhiko Yoshizawa
    Abstract:

    Abstract Five specialized sebaceous Glands are seen in rats: Zymbal’s Gland (auditory sebaceous Gland) in the external ear canal, the Preputial Gland in the male prepuce, the clitoral Gland in the female clitoris, the perianal Gland (circumanal Gland) in the anus, and the meibomian Glands in the conjunctiva of the eyelid. In this chapter, the former four Glands are focused on and the description of the meibomian Gland will be covered in Chapter 16. The secretions from these Glands are produced by the holocrine process, whereby the parenchymal cells accumulate specific lipids, degenerate, and then disintegrate to become the final secretory product (sebum). There are no equivalent Glands in humans, and therefore, normal Glands are occasionally misdiagnosed as sebaceous Gland tumors or teratomas by scientists not familiar with rodent anatomy. The Zymbal’s Gland, Preputial Gland, and clitoral Gland are susceptible to the induction of neoplasms by various chemical carcinogens. Natural occurrence of neoplastic lesions is extremely rare in rats used in 26 weeks and shorter period toxicology studies.

  • chapter 20 specialized sebaceous Glands zymbal s Gland Preputial Gland clitoral Gland and perianal Gland
    Boorman's Pathology of the Rat (Second Edition)#R##N#Reference and Atlas, 2018
    Co-Authors: Katsuhiko Yoshizawa
    Abstract:

    Abstract Five specialized sebaceous Glands are seen in rats: Zymbal’s Gland (auditory sebaceous Gland) in the external ear canal, the Preputial Gland in the male prepuce, the clitoral Gland in the female clitoris, the perianal Gland (circumanal Gland) in the anus, and the meibomian Glands in the conjunctiva of the eyelid. In this chapter, the former four Glands are focused on and the description of the meibomian Gland will be covered in Chapter 16. The secretions from these Glands are produced by the holocrine process, whereby the parenchymal cells accumulate specific lipids, degenerate, and then disintegrate to become the final secretory product (sebum). There are no equivalent Glands in humans, and therefore, normal Glands are occasionally misdiagnosed as sebaceous Gland tumors or teratomas by scientists not familiar with rodent anatomy. The Zymbal’s Gland, Preputial Gland, and clitoral Gland are susceptible to the induction of neoplasms by various chemical carcinogens. Natural occurrence of neoplastic lesions is extremely rare in rats used in 26 weeks and shorter period toxicology studies.