Fatty Acid Methyl Ester Profiles of Bat Wing Surface Lipids

摘要: Sebocytes are specialized epithelial cells that rupture to secrete sebaceous lipids (sebum) across the mammalian integument. Sebum protects integument from UV radiation, and maintains host microbial communities among other functions. Native glandular sebum is composed primarily of triacylglycerides (TAG) wax esters (WE). Upon secretion (mature sebum), these combine with minor cellular membrane components comprising total surface lipids. TAG WE further cleaved smaller molecules through oxidation or enzymatic digestion, resulting in a complex mixture glycerolipids (e.g., TAG), sterols, unesterified fatty acids (FFA), WE, cholesteryl esters, squalene lipid. We interested if acid methyl ester (FAME) profiling bat lipid could predict species specificity cutaneous fungal disease, white nose syndrome (WNS). collected secretions 13 spp. using Sebutape® converted them FAME an catalyzed transesterification. found adhesive patches removed ~6× more than indicator strips. Juvenile eastern red bats (Lasiurus borealis) had significantly higher 18:1 adults, but 14:0, 16:1, 20:0 were adults. profiles several similar. concluded does not provide robust model predicting susceptibility WNS. However, results baseline data can be used for roles future ecological studies, such as life history, diet, migration.