Secretion of temporins visible on an African elephant during musth (2007).

Temporins are a family of peptides isolated originally from the skin secretion of the European red frog, Rana temporaria.[1] Peptides belonging to the temporin family have been isolated also from closely related North American frogs, such as Rana sphenocephala.[2]

In elephants, temporin is secreted by temporal glands during the period of musth. It contains proteins, lipids (notably cholesterol), phenols, cresols and sesquiterpenes (notably farnesol and its derivatives).[3] This is not related to temporins that are antimicrobial peptides.

In old Sanskrit texts, it is referred to as rut fluid (dāna, or mada) and is considered to be a symbol of potency and vigour.[4]

However, from the point of view of ancient Indian elephant science (gajaśāstra), temporin is not a direct symptom of rut.[5]

References

  1. ↑ Simmaco M; Mignogna G; Canofeni S; Miele R; Mangoni ML; Barra D (Dec 15, 1996). "Temporins, antimicrobial peptides from the European red frog Rana temporaria". Eur J Biochem. 242 (3): 788–792. doi:10.1111/j.1432-1033.1996.0788r.x. PMID 9022710.
  2. ↑ Holden, Whitney; Reinert, Laura K; Hanlon, Shane M; Parris, Matthew J; Rollins-Smith, Louise A (January 2015). "Development of antimicrobial peptide defenses of southern leopard frogs, Rana sphenocephala, against the pathogenic chytrid fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis". Developmental & Comparative Immunology. 48 (1): 65–75. doi:10.1016/j.dci.2014.09.003. PMID 25218643. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
  3. ↑ Sukumar, R (2003). The living elephants: evolutionary ecology, behavior, and conservation. Oxford University Press. p. 155. ISBN 9780195107784. Retrieved 2010-12-25.
  4. ↑ Bana, Kadambari. Transl. P. Rajappa, Penguin Books 2010, p. 19
  5. ↑ Nilakantha; Franklin Edgerton (1931). The Elephant-lore of the Hindus: The Elephant-sport (Matanga-lila) of Nilakantha. Motilal Banarsidass. ISBN 978-81-208-0005-2., pp. 29-38.


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