Unusual Fatty Acids with Specific Odor from Mature Male Goat

Abstract

Unusual five 4-ethyl-fatty acids were estimated as main constituents of sebaceous gland secretion of male goat which showed the releaser pheromone activity against the estrous female. These acids exist in both free state and ester form. The structures were confirmed by synthesis. Among the five acids, 4-ethyloctanoic acid showed the strong goaty odor at low concentration.