Fel d I levels in cat anal glands

Abstract

Major cat allergen Fel d I is produced consistently by skin and by sebaceous glands before being spread on the fur. Objective Since cats have tubular anal glands secreting sebum, proteins and lipids, we looked at the possible presence of Fel d I in these secretions and compared the levels found to those already reported in other cat tissues or secretions. Thirty-seven cats were studied. Fel d I dosage in the anal sacs' secretions was performed using an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method and total protein evaluation by the Bradford's method. The geometric mean Fel d I concentration was 41 U/g secretion which represents 3.4% of the total protein levels. This amount is the highest ever reported in cat tissues or secretions. The close association of Fel d I protein with skin sebaceous glands and anal sacs both with holocrine function and lipids' secretions in one hand, and the homology of chain I of Fel d I with some steroid-binding proteins in other hand, suggest a possible physiological role for Fel d I in the regulation of lipids on skin and cat fur.