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Nature

Title:		Chemical communication: chirality in elephant pheromones
Author(s):		Greenwood DR; Comeskey D; Hunt MB; Rasmussen LE;
Address:		"HortResearch, Mount Albert Research Centre, Private Bag 92-169, Auckland, New Zealand"
Journal Title:		Nature
Year:		2005
Volume:		438
Issue:		7071
Page Number:		1097 - 1098
DOI:		10.1038/4381097a
ISSN/ISBN:		1476-4687 (Electronic) 0028-0836 (Linking)
Abstract:		"Musth in male elephants is an annual period of heightened sexual activity and aggression that is linked to physical, sexual and social maturation. It is mediated by the release of chemical signals such as the pheromone frontalin, which exists in two chiral forms (molecular mirror images, or enantiomers). Here we show that enantiomers of frontalin are released by Asian elephants in a specific ratio that depends on the animal's age and stage of musth, and that different responses are elicited in male and female conspecifics when the ratio alters. This precise control of communication by molecular chirality offers insight into societal interactions in elephants, and may be useful in implementing new conservation protocols"
Keywords:		"Aging/physiology Animals Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic/*chemistry/metabolism/*pharmacology Elephants/*physiology Female Male Pheromones/*chemistry/*metabolism/pharmacology Pregnancy Sexual Behavior, Animal/*drug effects/physiology Stereoisomeris;"
Notes:		"MedlineGreenwood, David R Comeskey, Dan Hunt, Martin B Rasmussen, L Elizabeth L eng England 2005/12/24 Nature. 2005 Dec 22; 438(7071):1097-8. doi: 10.1038/4381097a"