A SEX-ATTRACTANT IN THE CLOACAL GLAND OF THE NEWT, CYNOPS-PYRRHOGASTER

A novel female-attracting peptide consisting of ten amino acid residue s was isolated from the abdominal gland of the cloaca of the male newt , Cynops pyrrhogaster. Both the native and synthetic peptides exhibite d similar activity in attracting female newts. An immunohistochemical study using an antiserum raised against the peptide revealed that the peptide occurs in the apical portion of the epithelial cells of the ab dominal gland. The substance is considered to be species-specific and to act through olfactory organs.