Disappearance of short chain acids from the preen gland wax of male mallard ducks during eclipse.

Abstract

Wax esters constitute the major products of the uropygial glands of male mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos). Combined gas-liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry of the acyl and alcohol portions of the wax ester revealed dramatic seasonal variation. Of the total of nearly 100 compounds detected in the acyl portion, more than 90 were identified as n-, monomethyl-, dimethyl-, and trimethyl-C6 to C20 acids. The major components were 2-methyl- and 4-methyl C6 acids which constituted nearly 75% of the total acids during most of the year. As the birds went through the post-nuptial molt into eclipse, these short chain acids decreased to only 4% of the total acids. Fatty acids longer than C12 became the major components during the summer months when the birds were in eclipse and by fall the characteristic shorter branched acids reappeared as the dominant components. Fatty alcohols did not undergo such dramatic changes. This is the first report of biochemical changes that occur during eclipse.