Session: Advances in Mass Spectrometry:

Bears are solitary by nature. Their reproductive behavior is typically communicated via scent-markings. However, chemical composition of excretions during mating seasons is poorly understood. In this investigation, we show an effective liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method developed for the qualitative analysis of black bear urine. The method requires 500 uL of urine. The mobile phase is a gradient of water with 0.1% formic acid and acetonitrile with 0.1% formic acid. The MS scan mode allows determination of the possible compounds in the urine sample, or at least gives their molecular weight. The product ion scan mode is used to establish product ions from the precursor ions found in the initial scans. Targeted compound quantitation by MRM mode then provides specific and sensitive data about relative concentrations linked to markers of compound identity. The method developed in this project can be used to give biologists a deeper understanding of black bear behavior during matching seasons.

Alma Avila

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