Proteomics of the Dark-Ventral-Patch Sexual Signal in Male Red Deer.

ABSTRACT: Sexual signals in animals encompass a variety of forms including visual, acoustic, and chemical signals that are fundamental for intra- and interspecific communication, including sexual selection processes. Among these, odor signals play a critical role. Chemical compounds involved in sexual signaling vary in nature, with lipids and proteins being particularly important. In the male Iberian red deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus), the dark ventral patch has been identified as a key sexual signal during mating competition, associated with specific chemical compounds deposited during urination. Hair plays a significant role in this signaling due to its ability to retain compounds on the scales of the hair cuticle. In this study, we used a shotgun proteomic approach to investigate whether

SUBMITTER: Broggini C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11758638 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature