Temporin

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.

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

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).[2] 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:[3]

Wild elephants roam the forest and water the trees with their streaming rut fluid. Is it therefore any wonder that the trees in the forest have grown so very tall?

However, from the point of view of ancient Indian elephant science (gajaśāstra), temporin is not a direct symptom of rut.[4] This is not related to temporins that are antimicrobial peptides

References

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.
Sukumar, R (2003). The living elephants: evolutionary ecology, behavior, and conservation. Oxford University Press. p. 155. ISBN 9780195107784. Retrieved 2010-12-25.
Bana, Kadambari. Transl. P. Rajappa, Penguin Books 2010, p. 19
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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[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.

[2] Sukumar, R (2003). The living elephants: evolutionary ecology, behavior, and conservation. Oxford University Press. p. 155. ISBN 9780195107784. Retrieved 2010-12-25.

[3] Bana, Kadambari. Transl. P. Rajappa, Penguin Books 2010, p. 19

[NilakanthaEdgerton1931-4] 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.