Secretion of temporins visible on an African elephant during musth (2007).
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, such as Rana sphenocephala.[2]
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.[4]
However, from the point of view of ancient Indian elephant science (gajaśāstra), temporin is not a direct symptom of rut.[5]
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 Biochem242 (3): 788–792. doi:10.1111/j.1432-1033.1996.0788r.x. PMID9022710.