p-cresol and oleic acid as reliable biomarkers of estrus: evidence from synchronized Murrah buffaloes

Document Type : Short paper

Authors

1 Centre for Pheromone Technology, Department of Animal Science, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli-620 024, India; Department of Microbiology, Ayya Nadar Janaki Ammal College, Srivilliiputhur, Sivakasi-626 123, India

2 Centre for Pheromone Technology, Department of Animal Science, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli-620 024, India

3 Centre for Pheromone Technology, Department of Animal Science, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli-620 024, India; Department of Biotechnology, St. Michael College of Engineering and Technology, Kalayarkovil-630 551, India

4 Department of Livestock Production and Management, Veterinary College and Research Institute, Namakkal-600 051, India

Abstract

Successful reproductive management in buffaloes depends on effective estrus detection. Urinary pheromones identified from natural estrous cycle have been reported to decipher estrus phase. However, its presence has not been analyzed in the urine after synchronization. Thus, our present investigation was to investigate the influence of synchronized estrus urine in bulls and to examine the presence of estrus-specific compounds ascertained in natural estrus in synchronized buffaloes. Mid-stream urine was collected from six synchronized buffaloes during various phases of estrous cycle and volatiles were examined using GC-MS. Sexual provocation in bulls was established by displaying persistent flehmen and frequent mounting towards estrus urine from synchronized animals. Totally forty-two volatile compounds were identified from three phases of estrous cycle, more specifically 4-methyl phenol (p-cresol) and 9-octadecenoic acid (oleic acid) in estrus urine of synchronized animal as similar to natural estrus. Hence, these chemical cues in buffalo urine might be employed as potential marker candidates for the development of an estrus detection aid.

Keywords

References

Archunan, G (2009). Vertebrate pheromones and their bio-logical importance. J. Exp. Zoo., 12: 239-241.
Archunan, G; Rajanarayanan, S and Karthikeyan, K (2014). Cattle pheromones. In: Mucignat-Caretta, C (Ed.), Neurobiology of chemical communication. Chapter 16, Boca Raton (FL): CRC Press. PP: 461-488.
Brennan, PA and Keverne, EB (2004). Something in the air? New insights into mammalian pheromones. Curr. Biol., 14: 81-89.
De Rensis, F and López-Gatius, F (2007). Protocols for synchronizing estrus and ovulation in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis): a review. Theriogenology. 6: 209-216.
Garcia, MC; McDonell, SM; Kenny, RM and Osborne, HG (1986). Bull behavior tests: stimulus cow affects per-formance. Appl. Ani. Behav. Sci., 16: 1-10.
Halpin, ZT (1986). Individual odour among mammals origin and functions. Adv. Stu. Behav., 16: 39-70.
Masaki, J and Otha, M (1990). Mating behavior of a bull for estrus synchronized cows and a possible involvement of pheromonal factors. In: Sagara, Y and Seto, K (Eds.), Pheromones and reproduction. Carnforth, UK, The Parthenon Publishing Group Limited. PP: 63-75.
Morris, JA; Khettry, A and Seitz, EW (1979). Antimicrobial activity of aroma chemicals and essential oils. J. Amer. Oil Chem. Soc., 56: 595-603.
Mozuraitis, R; Buda, V and Borg-Karlson, AK (2010). Optimization of solid phase micro-extraction sampling for analysis of volatile compounds emitted from estrous urine of mares. Z. Naturforsch C., 65: 127-133.
Perera, BMAO (2011). Reproductive cycles of buffaloes. Anim. Reprod. Sci., 124: 94-99.
Rajanarayanan, S and Archunan, G (2004). Occurrence of flehmen in male buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) with special reference to estrus. Theriogenology. 61: 866-871.
Rajanarayanan, S and Archunan, G (2011). Identification of urinary sex pheromones in female buffaloes and their influence on bull reproductive behavior. Res. Vet. Sci., 91: 301-305.
Rasmussen, LEL (1998). Chemical communication: an integral part of functional Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) society. Ecoscience. 5: 411-429.
Rekwot, PI; Ogwu, DEO and Sekone, VO (2001). The role of pheromone and biostimulation in animal reproduction. Ani. Reprod. Sci., 65: 157-170.
Rivard, G and Klemm, WR (1990). Sample contact required for complete bull response to oestrous pheromones in cattle. In: MacDonald, DW; Muller-Scharze, D and Natynczuk, SE (Eds.), Chemical signals in vertebrates. (5th Edn.), Oxford, OxfordUniversity Press. PP: 627-633.
Selvam, RM; Onteru, SK; Nayan, V; Sivakumar, M; Singh, D and Archunan, G (2016). Exploration of luteinizing hormone in Murrah buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) urine: extended surge window opens door for estrus prediction. Gen. Comp. Endocrinol., doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j. ygcen.2016.12.002.
Vandenbergh, JG (1999). Pheromones in mammals. In: Knobil, E and Neill, JD (Eds.), Encyclopedia of reproduction. (1st Edn.), UK, Academic Press. PP: 764-769.

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics