Chemical composition of uropygial gland secretions of owls.
The compositions of the uropygial gland secretions of the long-eared owl, eagle owl, and barn owl have been determined. The waxes of the first two owls, which are closely related, are composed of 2-alkyl-substituted fatty acids and n- or monomethyl-branched alcohols with even-numbered branching positions. In addition, some dimethyl-substituted alkanols were observed. In contrast to these waxes, the secretion of the barn owl is composed of 3-methyl- and 3,5-, 3,7-, 3,9-, 3,11-, 3,13-, and 3,15-dimethyl-branched fatty acids and n- as well as monomethyl-substituted alkanols branched at positions 2, 3, and 4. The mass spectra of esters of 2-alkyl-substituted fatty acids are discussed.
D000818:Animals; D001717:Birds / Q000378:metabolism*; D002845:Chromatography; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified / Q000032:analysis; D005233:Fatty Alcohols / Q000032:analysis; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D012627:Sebaceous Glands / Q000032:analysis; D013045:Species Specificity; D014885:Waxes / Q000032:analysis
D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified; D005233:Fatty Alcohols; D014885:Waxes