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Scientific reports2021; 11(1); 15671; doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-95162-9

Analysis of volatiles from feces of released Przewalski’s horse (Equus przewalskii) in Gasterophilus pecorum (Diptera: Gasterophilidae) spawning habitat.

Abstract: The absolute dominant species that infests wild population of Przewalski's horse (Equus przewalskii) is Gasterophilus pecorum, and feces of released Przewalski's horse, a habitat odor, plays an important role in mating and ovipositing locations of G. pecorum. To screen out unique volatiles for attracting G. pecorum, volatiles from fresh feces of released horses at stages of pre-oviposition (PREO), oviposition (OVIP), and post-oviposition (POSO) of G. pecorum, and feces with three different freshness states (i.e., Fresh, Semi-fresh, and Dry) at OVIP were collected by dynamic headspace adsorption and determined by automatic thermal desorption GC-MS. Results show that there were significant differences in fecal volatiles within both test conditions. Of the five most abundant volatiles from the five individual samples, the most important volatile was ammonium acetate at OVIP/Fresh, followed by acetophenone (Semi-fresh), toluene (PREO, OVIP and POSO), butanoic acid (OVIP and Semi-fresh), acetic acid (PREO, POSO and Semi-fresh), 1,6-octadiene,3,7-dimethyl-,(S)- (PREO, OVIP and POSO), 1,5,9-undecatriene,2,6,10-trimethyl-,(Z)- (PREO and Semi-fresh) and caprolactam (all conditions), which seem to be critical substances in oviposition process of G. pecorum. The findings may be beneficial to development of G. pecorum attractants, facilitating prevention and control of infection by G. pecorum to released Przewalski's horse.
© 2021. The Author(s).
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Publication Date: 2021-08-02 PubMed ID: 34341455PubMed Central: PMC8329074DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-95162-9Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This study investigates the volatile substances present in the feces of Przewalski’s horse and their role in attracting Gasterophilus pecorum, a parasite that infects horses. The research found variations in these substances at different stages of the parasite’s egg-laying process, and in feces at different levels of freshness, with potential implications for controlling the parasite’s population.

Research Overview and Methodology

  • This research is focused on understanding the unique volatile substances in feces of Przewalski’s horse (a type of wild horse) that attract Gasterophilus pecorum (a type of fly parasite).
  • The study included feces at different stages: pre-oviposition (before laying eggs), oviposition (during egg laying), and post-oviposition (after egg laying) stages of the parasite. The freshness of the feces was also considered, classifying them as Fresh, Semi-fresh, and Dry.
  • These volatile substances were collected using a method known as dynamic headspace adsorption, and later identified through automatic thermal desorption gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).

Key Findings

  • The study revealed notable differences in the volatile substances within the feces across all the conditions tested.
  • Five most abundant volatile substances from each condition were identified. Among these, ammonium acetate was found to be the most important at the oviposition stage with fresh feces.
  • Other prominent substances included acetophenone, toluene, butanoic acid, acetic acid, 1,6-octadiene,3,7-dimethyl-, and 1,5,9-undecatriene,2,6,10-trimethyl-, as well as caprolactam in all conditions.
  • These substances seem to play a significant role in the oviposition process of G. pecorum, potentially attracting the parasites to lay their eggs.

Implications

  • This research’s findings could be invaluable in developing attractants for Gasterophilus pecorum. Identifying the volatile substances that attract these parasites can help in creating baits or traps for them.
  • Development of such attractants could lead to strategies that prevent and control G. pecorum infestations in Przewalski’s horses, thereby protecting the health of these wild populations.

Cite This Article

APA
Zhou R, Yang J, Zhang K, Qi Y, Ma W, Wang Z, Ente M, Li K. (2021). Analysis of volatiles from feces of released Przewalski’s horse (Equus przewalskii) in Gasterophilus pecorum (Diptera: Gasterophilidae) spawning habitat. Sci Rep, 11(1), 15671. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-95162-9

Publication

Scientific reports
ISSN: 2045-2322
NlmUniqueID: 101563288
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 11
Issue: 1
Pages: 15671
PII: 15671

Researcher Affiliations

Zhou, Ran
  • Key Laboratory of Non-Invasive Research Technology for Endangered Species, School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China.
Yang, Jianming
  • Xinjiang Research Centre for Breeding Przewalski's Horse, Urumqi, 831700, Xinjiang, China.
Zhang, Ke
  • Key Laboratory of Non-Invasive Research Technology for Endangered Species, School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China.
Qi, Yingjie
  • Xinjiang Kalamaili Ungulate Nature Reserve Management Center, Changji, 831100, Xinjiang, China.
Ma, Wei
  • Xinjiang Kalamaili Ungulate Nature Reserve Management Center, Changji, 831100, Xinjiang, China.
Wang, Zhenbiao
  • Xinjiang Research Centre for Breeding Przewalski's Horse, Urumqi, 831700, Xinjiang, China.
Ente, Make
  • Xinjiang Research Centre for Breeding Przewalski's Horse, Urumqi, 831700, Xinjiang, China.
Li, Kai
  • Key Laboratory of Non-Invasive Research Technology for Endangered Species, School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China. likai_sino@sina.com.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Diptera
  • Ecosystem
  • Feces
  • Horses
  • Larva
  • Oviposition

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

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Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
  1. Zhang K, Zhou R, Huang H, Ma W, Qi Y, Li B, Zhang D, Li K, Chu H. Host feces, olfactory beacon guiding aggregation of intestinal parasites Gasterophilus pecorum (Diptera: Gasterophilidae). Parasitol Res 2022 Sep;121(9):2601-2613.
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  2. Liang YX, Li YC, Cao Z, Li X, Zhang L, Meng FB, Zhou YH. Effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Fermentation on Off-Odour Reduction and Flavour Compounds in Pig Large Intestines. Foods 2025 Jun 23;14(13).
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  3. Zhang Y, Liu J, Zhang K, Wang A, Sailikebieke D, Zhang Z, Ao T, Yan L, Zhang D, Li K, Huang H. Biological response to Przewalski's horse reintroduction in native desert grasslands: a case study on the spatial analysis of ticks. BMC Ecol Evol 2024 May 11;24(1):61.
    doi: 10.1186/s12862-024-02252-zpubmed: 38734637google scholar: lookup
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