Background: 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.
Methods: 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.
Results: 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.
Conclusion: 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.