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Variation in skin surface lipid composition among the Equidae.
Abstract: Skin surface lipids from Equus caballus, E. przewalskii, E. asinus, E. grevyi, E. hemionus onager and a mule (E. asinus/E. caballus) were analyzed in detail. In all species the surface lipid mixtures consisted of giant-ring lactones, cholesterol, cholesteryl esters and minor amounts of wax diesters. In E. caballus, the lactone hydroxyacids were entirely branched chained, while in E. asinus and E. grevyi they were almost exclusively straight chained. In E. przewalskii, the onager and the mule there were both straight and branched chain hydroxyacid lactones. These results are in harmony with published interpretations of the evolutionary relationships among Equus species.
Publication Date: 1983-01-01 PubMed ID: 6883996DOI: 10.1016/0305-0491(83)90353-xGoogle Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Comparative Study
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- U.S. Gov't
- P.H.S.
Summary
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The research paper explores the different compositions of skin surface lipids (fats) among various species of the horse family, Equidae. Distinct variations were found, particularly in the types of lactone hydroxyacids present, aligning with existing theories on the evolutionary ties amongst these species.
Objective of the Research
The study was conducted with the goal of analyzing and comparing the skin surface lipid compositions among different species of the Equidae family. These included Equus caballus (domestic horse), E. przewalskii (Przewalski’s horse), E. asinus (donkey), E. grevyi (Grevy’s zebra), E. hemionus onager (onager or Asiatic wild ass), and a mule (a hybrid of E. asinus and E. caballus).
Methodology and Findings
- The researchers thoroughly analyzed the skin surface lipids from the abovementioned species.
- They found that the lipid mixtures in all the species consisted of giant-ring lactones, cholesterol, cholesteryl esters, and minor amounts of wax diesters.
Difference in Lactone Hydroxyacids
- Upon closer examination, differences were identified in the types of lactone hydroxyacids, a component of the surface skin lipids, among the species.
- In E. caballus, the lactone hydroxyacids were entirely branch-chained, meaning their carbon atoms are arranged in a branching structure.
- On the other hand, the lactone hydroxyacids in E. asinus and E. grevyi were nearly entirely straight-chained, indicating a linear structure of carbon atoms.
- An equal presence of both branch-chained and straight-chained lactone hydroxyacids were found in E. przewalskii, the onager, and the mule.
Consistency with Evolutionary Theories
- The variations in lactone hydroxyacid structures observed aligned with existing theories on the evolutionary relationships among Equus species.
- This study thus contributes valuable insight, supporting the understanding of evolutionary links by highlighting the variation in biochemical compositions among the species.
Cite This Article
APA
Colton SW, Downing DT.
(1983).
Variation in skin surface lipid composition among the Equidae.
Comp Biochem Physiol B, 75(3), 429-433.
https://doi.org/10.1016/0305-0491(83)90353-x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Chemical Phenomena
- Chemistry
- Cholesterol Esters / analysis
- Horses / metabolism
- Lipids / isolation & purification
- Perissodactyla / metabolism
- Skin / analysis
- Species Specificity
- Surface Properties
Grant Funding
- AM 22083 / NIADDK NIH HHS
Citations
This article has been cited 7 times.- Wertz PW, Downing DT. Hydroxyacid derivatives in human epidermis. Lipids 1988 May;23(5):415-8.
- Schmidt M, Binder H, Schneider MR. The metabolic underpinnings of sebaceous lipogenesis. Commun Biol 2025 Apr 27;8(1):670.
- Carolan J, Jakubec M, Xavier NF Jr, Motala AP, Bifulco E, Aars J, Andersen M, Schmidt AL, Cabré MB, Singh V, Colavita PE, Selfors EW, Sacchi M, O'Reilly S, Halskau Ø, Tiwari MK, Hobbs RG, Holst B. Anti-icing properties of polar bear fur. Sci Adv 2025 Jan 31;11(5):eads7321.
- Kamus L, Rameau M, Theoret C. Feasibility of a disposable canister-free negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) device for treating open wounds in horses. BMC Vet Res 2019 Mar 6;15(1):78.
- Wang DH, Ran-Ressler R, St Leger J, Nilson E, Palmer L, Collins R, Brenna JT. Sea Lions Develop Human-like Vernix Caseosa Delivering Branched Fats and Squalene to the GI Tract. Sci Rep 2018 May 10;8(1):7478.
- Khandelwal P, Stryker S, Chao H, Aranibar N, Lawrence RM, Madireddi M, Zhao W, Chen L, Reily MD. 1H NMR-based lipidomics of rodent fur: species-specific lipid profiles and SCD1 inhibitor-related dermal toxicity. J Lipid Res 2014 Jul;55(7):1366-74.
- Brasser AJ, Barwacz CA, Dawson DV, Brogden KA, Drake DR, Wertz PW. Presence of wax esters and squalene in human saliva. Arch Oral Biol 2011 Jun;56(6):588-91.
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