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Woszczyło M, Pasikowski P, Devaraj S, Kokocińska A, Szumny A, Skwark MJ, Niżański W, Dzięcioł M. Urinary Proteins of Female Domestic Dog ( Canis familiaris) during Ovarian Cycle. Vet Sci 2023; 10:vetsci10040292. [PMID: 37104448 PMCID: PMC10140845 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci10040292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The presence and identity of non-volatile chemical signals remain elusive in canines. In this study, we aim to evaluate the urinary proteins of female domestic dogs in the estrus and anestrus phases to evidence the presence of non-volatile chemical signals and to elucidate their identities. We collected urine samples from eight female dogs in the estrus and anestrus phases. A total of 240 proteins were identified in the urine samples using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS analysis). The comparison of the proteins revealed a significant difference between the estrus and anestrus urine. We identified proteins belonging to the lipocalin family of canines (beta-lactoglobulin-1 and beta-lactoglobulin-2, P33685 and P33686, respectively), one of whose function was the transport of pheromones and which was present only in the estrus urine samples. Moreover, proteins such as Clusterin (CLU), Liver-expressed antimicrobial peptide 2 (LEAP2), and Proenkephalin (PENK) were more abundant in the estrus urine when compared to the anestrus urine. LEAP2 was recently described as a ghrelin receptor antagonist and implicated in regulating food intake and body weight in humans and mice. Proenkephalin, a polypeptide hormone cleaved into opioid peptides, was also recognized as a candidate to determine kidney function. As of yet, none of these have played a role in chemical communication. Clusterin, an extracellular chaperone protecting from protein aggregation implicated in stress-induced cell apoptosis, is a plausible candidate in chemical communication, which is a claim that needs to be ascertained further. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with the identifier PXD040418.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martyna Woszczyło
- Department of Reproduction and Clinic of Farm Animals, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Plac Grunwaldzki 49, 50-366 Wrocław, Poland
| | | | - Sankarganesh Devaraj
- Department of Biotechnology, School of BioSciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore 632014, India
| | - Agata Kokocińska
- Institute of Biological Bases of Animal Production, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, 13 Akademicka St., 20-950 Lublin, Poland
| | - Antoni Szumny
- Department of Chemistry, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, C.K. Norwida 25, 50-375 Wrocław, Poland
| | | | - Wojciech Niżański
- Department of Reproduction and Clinic of Farm Animals, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Plac Grunwaldzki 49, 50-366 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Michał Dzięcioł
- Department of Reproduction and Clinic of Farm Animals, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Plac Grunwaldzki 49, 50-366 Wrocław, Poland
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Woszczyło M, Szumny A, Knap P, Jezierski T, Niżański W, Kokocińska A, Skwark MJ, Dzięcioł M. The influence of manual semen collection in male trained dogs (Canis familiaris), in the presence or absence of a female in estrus, on the concentrations of cortisol, oxytocin, prolactin and testosterone. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0278524. [PMID: 36730259 PMCID: PMC9894453 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0278524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Sex pheromones are chemical substances secreted into the environment that affect the physiology and behavior of recipients. Females use these compounds during oestrus to attract males, which leads to attempts of mating. This study evaluates the influence of manual semen collection in male dogs, in the presence or absence of a female in estrus, on the blood concentrations of cortisol (CRT), oxytocin (OXT), prolactin (PRL) and testosterone (T), as hormones involved both in the physiology of reproduction and stress. Ten male dogs were used in Experiment 1 to measure the serum and plasma concentrations of the aforementioned hormones in the absence of semen collection. Subsequently in the same animals, the concentrations of these hormones were evaluated before and after semen collection in the presence (Exp. 2) or in absence of a female in estrus (Exp. 3). No significant changes in hormone concentration caused by the semen collection were found, either with, or without the presence of female in estrus. Obtained results suggest that the procedure of manual semen collection in dogs, probably due to its passive character, does not stimulate endocrine glands to secrete hormones, and the process of ejaculation is probably controlled by neural pathway. The lack of effect of semiochemical stimulation to the CRT, PRL, OXT and T level, could be caused by a short contact with female during semen collection. Further studies on involvement of the hormones during the process of natural mating, especially preceded by long courtships, similar to that observed under natural conditions, should shed a light on the physiology of mating and the connection between the endocrine system and semiochemical stimulation in dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martyna Woszczyło
- Department of Reproduction, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Antoni Szumny
- Department of Chemistry, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Piotr Knap
- Department of Epizootiology and Clinic of Birth and Exotic Animals, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Tadeusz Jezierski
- Institute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Department of Animal Behavior and Welfare, Magdalenka, Poland
| | - Wojciech Niżański
- Department of Reproduction, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Agata Kokocińska
- Institute of Biological Bases of Animal Production, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | | | - Michał Dzięcioł
- Department of Reproduction, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
- * E-mail:
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Kokocińska-Kusiak A, Woszczyło M, Zybala M, Maciocha J, Barłowska K, Dzięcioł M. Canine Olfaction: Physiology, Behavior, and Possibilities for Practical Applications. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11082463. [PMID: 34438920 PMCID: PMC8388720 DOI: 10.3390/ani11082463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Dogs have an extraordinary olfactory capability, which far exceeds that of humans. Dogs’ sense of smell seems to be the main sense, allowing them to not only gather both current and historical information about their surrounding environment, but also to find the source of the smell, which is crucial for locating food, danger, or partners for reproduction. Dogs can be trained by humans to use their olfactory abilities in a variety of fields, with a detection limit often much lower than that of sophisticated laboratory instruments. The specific anatomical and physiological features of dog olfaction allow humans to achieve outstanding results in the detection of drugs, explosives, and different illnesses, such as cancer, diabetes, or infectious disease. This article provides an overview of the anatomical features and physiological mechanisms involved in the process of odor detection and identification, as well as behavioral aspects of canine olfaction and its use in the service of humans in many fields. Abstract Olfaction in dogs is crucial for gathering important information about the environment, recognizing individuals, making decisions, and learning. It is far more specialized and sensitive than humans’ sense of smell. Using the strength of dogs’ sense of smell, humans work with dogs for the recognition of different odors, with a precision far exceeding the analytical capabilities of most modern instruments. Due to their extremely sensitive sense of smell, dogs could be used as modern, super-sensitive mobile area scanners, detecting specific chemical signals in real time in various environments outside the laboratory, and then tracking the odor of dynamic targets to their source, also in crowded places. Recent studies show that dogs can detect not only specific scents of drugs or explosives, but also changes in emotions as well as in human cell metabolism during various illnesses, including COVID-19 infection. Here, we provide an overview of canine olfaction, discussing aspects connected with anatomy, physiology, behavioral aspects of sniffing, and factors influencing the olfactory abilities of the domestic dog (Canis familiaris).
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Affiliation(s)
- Agata Kokocińska-Kusiak
- Institute of Animal Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, ul. Ciszewskiego 8, 02-786 Warszawa, Poland; (A.K.-K.); (J.M.)
| | - Martyna Woszczyło
- Department of Reproduction and Clinic of Farm Animals, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Plac Grunwaldzki 49, 50-366 Wrocław, Poland;
| | - Mikołaj Zybala
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Doctoral School, Siedlce University of Natural Sciences and Humanities, ul. Konarskiego 2, 08-110 Siedlce, Poland;
| | - Julia Maciocha
- Institute of Animal Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, ul. Ciszewskiego 8, 02-786 Warszawa, Poland; (A.K.-K.); (J.M.)
| | - Katarzyna Barłowska
- Department of Biotechnology and Nutrigenomics, Institute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Jastrzębiec, 05-552 Magdalenka, Poland;
| | - Michał Dzięcioł
- Department of Reproduction and Clinic of Farm Animals, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Plac Grunwaldzki 49, 50-366 Wrocław, Poland;
- Correspondence:
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Ballard KR, Klein AH, Hayes RA, Wang T, Cummins SF. The protein and volatile components of trail mucus in the Common Garden Snail, Cornu aspersum. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0251565. [PMID: 34043643 PMCID: PMC8158898 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0251565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The Common or Brown Garden Snail, Cornu aspersum, is an invasive land snail that has successfully colonized a diverse range of global environments. Like other invasive land snails, it is a significant pest of a variety of agricultural crops, including citrus, grapes and canola. Cornu aspersum secretes a mucus trail when mobile that facilitates locomotion. The involvement of the trail in conspecific chemical communication has also been postulated. Our study found that anterior tentacle contact with conspecific mucus elicited a significant increase in heart rate from 46.9 to 51 beats per minute. In order to gain a better understanding of the constituents of the trail mucus and the role it may play in snail communication, the protein and volatile components of mucus trails were investigated. Using two different protein extraction methods, mass spectrometry analysis yielded 175 different proteins, 29 of which had no significant similarity to any entries in the non-redundant protein sequence database. Of the mucus proteins, 22 contain features consistent with secreted proteins, including a perlucin-like protein. The eight most abundant volatiles detected using gas chromatography were recorded (including propanoic acid and limonene) and their potential role as putative pheromones are discussed. In summary, this study has provided an avenue for further research pertaining to the role of trail mucus in snail communication and provides a useful repository for land snail trail mucus components. This may be utilized for further research regarding snail attraction and dispersal, which may be applied in the fields of agriculture, ecology and human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaylene R. Ballard
- Genecology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore DC, Queensland, Australia
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore DC, Queensland, Australia
| | - Anne H. Klein
- Genecology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore DC, Queensland, Australia
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore DC, Queensland, Australia
| | - Richard A. Hayes
- Forest Industries Research Centre, Forest Research Institute, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore DC, Queensland, Australia
| | - Tianfang Wang
- Genecology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore DC, Queensland, Australia
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore DC, Queensland, Australia
| | - Scott F. Cummins
- Genecology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore DC, Queensland, Australia
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore DC, Queensland, Australia
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Portillo‐Estrada M, Van Moorleghem C, Janssenswillen S, Cooper RJ, Birkemeyer C, Roelants K, Van Damme R. Proton‐transfer‐reaction time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (PTR‐TOF‐MS) as a tool for studying animal volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions. Methods Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/2041-210x.13554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Portillo‐Estrada
- Research Group Pleco (Plants and Ecosystems) Department of Biology University of Antwerp Wilrijk Belgium
| | - Charlotte Van Moorleghem
- Laboratory for Functional Morphology Department of Biology University of Antwerp Wilrijk Belgium
| | - Sunita Janssenswillen
- Amphibian Evolution Lab Biology Department Vrije Universiteit Brussel Brussels Belgium
| | - Richard Joseph Cooper
- Amphibian Evolution Lab Biology Department Vrije Universiteit Brussel Brussels Belgium
| | | | - Kim Roelants
- Amphibian Evolution Lab Biology Department Vrije Universiteit Brussel Brussels Belgium
| | - Raoul Van Damme
- Laboratory for Functional Morphology Department of Biology University of Antwerp Wilrijk Belgium
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Jezierski T, Dzięcioł M, Szumny A, Niżański W, Woszczyło M, Pieczewska B, Godzińska EJ. Discrimination of estrus odor in urine by male dogs in different experimental settings. J Vet Behav 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jveb.2018.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Dzięcioł M, Woszczylo M, Szumny A, Jezierski T, Kupczyński R, Godzińska EJ, Pieczewska B, Niżański W. Identification of putative volatile sex pheromones in female domestic dogs (Canis familiaris). Anim Reprod Sci 2018; 197:87-92. [PMID: 30145043 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2018.08.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2018] [Revised: 07/26/2018] [Accepted: 08/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
More than hundred urine samples, vaginal secretions, vulval and anal imprints as well as anal sac secretions, collected during various phases of the ovarian cycle, were evaluated with the HS-SPME/GC-MS technique. The results indicate there were differences among samples of urine collected during particular phases of the ovarian cycle. Unequivocally, the amount of carbonyl aromatic compounds, such as acetophenone (hypnone) and benzaldehyde, increased during the period of proestrus and estrus of the estrous cycle. This was accompanied by increases in methylketones, e.g., 2-octanone, 2-pentanone and 3-hexanone. Simultaneously, amounts of sulfide compounds (1-methylotiopropane; 1-methylotiobutane, 1-methylotipentane and dimethyl trisulfide) decreased during the period of estrus and abruptly increased in diestrus. These observations suggest a possible dual mechanism of interaction between males and females during and subsequent to the mating period, including the existence of both attracting and repelling signals. No significant changes were detected in samples other than urine. Further studies including a proteomic approach as well as behavioral assessments are suggested to identify the complete range of estrual semiochemical signals and to verify the semiochemical activities of identified substances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michał Dzięcioł
- Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Department of Reproduction, 50-366, Wrocław, Plac Grunwaldzki 49, Poland.
| | - Martyna Woszczylo
- Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Department of Reproduction, 50-366, Wrocław, Plac Grunwaldzki 49, Poland
| | - Antoni Szumny
- Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Department of Chemistry, 50-375, Wrocław, C.K. Norwida 25, Poland
| | - Tadeusz Jezierski
- Institute of Genetics and Animal Breeding of Polish Academy of Sciences, Department of Animal Behavior, Jastrzębiec, 05-552, Magdalenka, Poland
| | - Robert Kupczyński
- Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Department of Environment Hygiene and Animal Welfare, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, 51-630, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Ewa J Godzińska
- Laboratory of Ethology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Pasteur St. 3, PL, 02-093, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Barbara Pieczewska
- Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Department of Reproduction, 50-366, Wrocław, Plac Grunwaldzki 49, Poland
| | - Wojciech Niżański
- Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Department of Reproduction, 50-366, Wrocław, Plac Grunwaldzki 49, Poland
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Abstract
The literature concerning the issue of canine sex pheromones includes reports presenting completely conflicting opinions about the chemical composition of the canine urine in the context of semiochemical communication. At present, the predominant report cited by many different authors is the article published in Science in 1979 by Goodwin at al., presenting methyl p-hydroxybenzoate (methyl paraben) as the main canine sex pheromone. While it has been proved that pure methyl paraben lacks semiochemical activity as do commercially available products containing this substance (Eau D'Estrus, Synbiotics, USA), in view of the conflicting published reports the aim of this study was to revaluate using modern techniques the presence of methyl p-hydroxybenzoate in canine urine during different phases of the ovarian cycle. Ten female dogs of different breeds were used. Urine samples from bitches collected during various stages of the ovarian cycle were examined with using the SPME and GC/MS methods. Methyl paraben was not detected in any of the samples. In conclusion, because of the lack of methyl-p-hydroxybenzoate in the samples examined, the present study confirmed negative opinions on the possibility of this substance playing a crucial role in semiochemical communication during reproduction in dogs (Canis familiaris).
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The influence of antibiotic treatment of bitches in oestrus on their attractiveness to males during mating. Pol J Vet Sci 2013; 16:509-16. [DOI: 10.2478/pjvs-2013-0071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the antibiotic treatment, including the mode of drugs administration, on bitches’ attractiveness to the stud dogs during mating. Moreover, we tried to estimate the possibility of aversive effect of the drug vehicle on the male behavior. In experiment I, four bitches in oestrus without antibiotic treatment (group A), four bitches treated with intravaginal antibiotic (group B) and four bitches treated with intramuscular antibiotic (group C) were presented to four stud dogs. In experiment II, bitches in oestrus (n=5) were presented to the males (n=2) before and after the application to the females’ vulva the antibiotic carrier - Miglyol 840 (Sasol, Germany). In both experiments the presence of the typical sexual behavior of the males (sniffing, licking the vulva and anal region, mating attempts) was evaluated. In experiment III the reaction of the males to the samples containing oestrual discharge from the bitches untreated and treated with antibiotics was evaluated. In the last part of study the aversion reaction to the samples containing antibiotic and the antibiotic carrier was evaluated. The results of experiments showed that females treated with the antibiotics were less attractive to males than untreated females, regardless of the method of administration. We did not observe adverse effect of the antibiotic carrier but samples from the bitches treated with antibiotics were significantly less attractive to the males. We concluded that the reason for reduced attractiveness of the bitches in oestrus after antibiotic treatment was the changes in semiochemical signal emitted by treated females as a consequence of elimination of the vaginal bacterial flora, which seems to be involved in creation of the typical, recognizable by the stud dogs, oestrual signal but also by the possible covering effect of used drugs.
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