Analysis of maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus) urine headspace via automated solid phase dynamic extraction (SPDE)/GC-MS: The first report of sulfur-containing compounds therein

CHED 267

Margaret E. Weddell, weddellme@hendrix.edu1, C. Joi Chen, chencj@hendrix.edu1, Stephen R. Jackson, jacksonsr04@hendrix.edu1, Thomas E. Goodwin, goodwin@hendrix.edu1, Nucharin Songsasen, songsasenn@si.edu2, and Johannes PFG. Helsper, hans.helsper@wur.nl3. (1) Department of Chemistry, Hendrix College, 1600 Washington Ave, Conway, AR 72032, (2) Department of Reproductive Sciences, Conservation and Research Center, Smithsonian's National Zoological Park, Front Royal, VA 22630, (3) Plant Research International, Wageningen, Netherlands
Maned wolves (Chrysocyon brachyurus) are threatened with extinction; the wild population is estimated to be only a few thousand animals. There is currently an ongoing effort to maintain viable ex situ populations as a possible hedge against extinction, as well as to provide a research resource from which the biology and chemistry of these animals can be better understood. Maned wolf excreta are highly malodorous, and are believed to function in chemical communication via scent marking. Sulfur-containing compounds, possibly arising from high cysteine concentrations, have been proposed as the primary odorants. We have analyzed the headspace over male and female maned wolf urine using automated solid phase dynamic extraction (SPDE) coupled with GC-MS. Our studies have revealed not only the presence of a number of pyrazines which are known insect pheromones, but also for the first time sulfur-containing compounds which are likely contributors to the distinctive maned wolf odors.
 

Undergraduate Research Poster Session: Analytical Chemistry
11:00 AM-1:00 PM, Monday, March 26, 2007 Hyatt Regency Chicago -- Riverside Center, Poster

Division of Chemical Education

The 233rd ACS National Meeting, Chicago, IL, March 25-29, 2007