Assessment of olfactory function and androstenone odor thresholds in humans with or without functional occlusion of the vomeronasal duct

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

Abstract

To obtain information on the possible role of the vomeronasal duct (VND) in odor perception and human pheromone detection, the present study investigated different aspects of olfactory function, including thresholds for androstenone in adults with or without detectable VNDs. The study also examined correlations between detection thresholds of androstenone odor and general olfactory function. Subjects' olfaction was assessed with tests for odor identification, odor discrimination, and phenyl ethyl alcohol odor threshold. Measurements were performed on 1 side only, with and without covering the VND. Subjects with or without detectable VNDs did not differ in olfactory sensitivity or androstenone odor thresholds. A small but significant correlation was found between detection thresholds of androstenone and general olfactory function. Finally, covering of the VND did not affect olfactory function or androstenone sensitivity. Results suggest that the human VND does not play a major role in sensitivity toward odorants or the preception of androstenone.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1135-1141
Number of pages7
JournalBehavioral Neuroscience
Volume117
Issue number6
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2003
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 14674834
Scopus 0242341165
ORCID /0000-0001-9713-0183/work/146645645

Keywords

Keywords

  • Pheromone receptor gene, Sensitivity, Ability, Organ, Discrimination, Identification, Epithelium, Responses, Steroids, Cells

Library keywords