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Owsienko D, Goppelt L, Hierl K, Schäfer L, Croy I, Loos HM. Body odor samples from infants and post-pubertal children differ in their volatile profiles. Commun Chem 2024; 7:53. [PMID: 38514840 PMCID: PMC10957943 DOI: 10.1038/s42004-024-01131-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Body odors change during development, and this change influences the interpersonal communication between parents and their children. The molecular basis for this chemical communication has not been elucidated yet. Here, we show by combining instrumental and sensory analyses that the qualitative odorant composition of body odor samples is similar in infants (0-3 years) and post-pubertal children (14-18 years). The post-pubertal samples are characterized by higher odor dilution factors for carboxylic acids and by the presence of 5α-androst-16-en-3-one and 5α-androst-16-en-3α-ol. In addition to the olfaction-guided approach, the compounds 6-methylhept-5-en-2-one (6MHO), geranyl acetone (GA) and squalene (SQ) were quantified. Both age groups have similar concentrations of 6MHO and GA, whereas post-pubertal children tend to have higher concentration of SQ. In conclusion, sexual maturation coincides with changes to body odor chemical composition. Whether those changes explain differences in parental olfactory perception needs to be determined in future studies with model odors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Owsienko
- Chair of Aroma and Smell Research, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Lisa Goppelt
- Chair of Aroma and Smell Research, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Katharina Hierl
- Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Technical University of Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Laura Schäfer
- Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Technical University of Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Ilona Croy
- Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Technical University of Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Friedrich-Schiller-University of Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Helene M Loos
- Chair of Aroma and Smell Research, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany.
- Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging IVV, Freising, Germany.
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2
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Croy I, Bierling A. Smells as Communication Pathways - why Emotions Pass through the Nose. Laryngorhinootologie 2023; 102:S93-S100. [PMID: 37130533 DOI: 10.1055/a-1935-3214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
For many species, the sense of smell is the most important sensory system for interacting with the environment and conspecifics. In contrast, the role of perception and communication of chemosensory information in humans has long been underestimated. The human sense of smell was considered less reliable, so that it was given less importance compared to visual and auditory sensory impressions. For some time now, a growing branch of research has been dealing with the role of the sense of sell in emotion and social communication, which is often only perceived subconsciously. This connection will be examine in more detail in this article. First, he basics regarding the structure and function of our olfactory system will be described for better understanding and classification. Then, with this background knowledge, the significance of olfaction for interpersonal communication and emotions will be discussed. Finally, we conclude that people suffering from olfactory disorders have specific impairments in their quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilona Croy
- Institut für Klinische Psychologie, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena
- Klinik für Psychotherapie und Psychosomatik, Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus Dresden
| | - Antonie Bierling
- Institut für Klinische Psychologie, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena
- Klinik für Psychotherapie und Psychosomatik, Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus Dresden
- Institut für Materialwissenschaft und Nanotechnik, Technische Universität Dresden
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3
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Alves Soares T, Owsienko D, Haertl T, Loos HM. Recovery rates of selected body odor substances in different textiles applying various work-up and storage conditions measured by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Anal Chim Acta 2023; 1252:341067. [PMID: 36935158 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2023.341067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Body odor is an important aspect in interpersonal communication. For psychological and chemical research on body odors, suitable procedures for sampling and application, and analysis of body odors are essential. In this study, different textile fabrics (polyester, cotton, and Gazin gauze) were comparatively evaluated in view of their potential suitability for body odor sampling by determining recovery rates of selected body odor substances. In addition, the impact of sample preparation and storage conditions on the recovery rates was determined. RESULTS The recovery rates of dimethyl disulfide, (E)-non-2-enal, 5α-androst-16-en-3-one, 6-methylhept-5-en-2-one, heptanal and 3-sulfanylhexan-1-ol were determined under different conditions of storage (storage for 30 min at room temperature or storage for 30 min at room temperature followed by freezing at - 80 °C for 4 weeks) and sample work-up (solvent extraction with and without solvent-assisted flavour evaporation, in the following: SAFE). SAFE led to overall lower recovery rates with a significant effect for (E)-non-2-enal and 5α-androst-16-en-3-one. Nevertheless, the results showed that SAFE can be an essential step when working with a complex matrix. When comparing the different fabrics, except for (E)-non-2-enal no difference between the recovery rates obtained for cotton and polyester became evident. Gazin gauze showed lower recovery rates for all compounds. Finally, our results showed that the here investigated target compounds are stable during storage for four weeks at - 80 °C. SIGNIFICANCE AND NOVELTY The results show on the one hand that the here investigated compounds were stable during storage and that the fiber type had limited influence on overall recovery rates. On the other hand, they highlight the limitations of using textile materials for sampling of volatile substances, especially with regard to low recovery rates for certain substances and the necessity of material pre-treatment or distillation steps for enabling GC-MS analysis after solvent extraction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatjana Alves Soares
- Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Henkestr. 9, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Diana Owsienko
- Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Henkestr. 9, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Tobias Haertl
- Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Henkestr. 9, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Helene M Loos
- Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Henkestr. 9, 91054, Erlangen, Germany; Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging IVV, Giggenhauser Str. 35, 85354, Freising, Germany.
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4
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Shell A, Blomkvist A, Mahmut MK. Particular body odors matter: Disgust sensitivity differs across attachment groups. JOURNAL OF APPLIED SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/jasp.12907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Amy Shell
- Department of Psychology, Food, Flavor and Fragrance Lab Macquarie University Sydney Australia
| | - Anna Blomkvist
- Department of Psychology Stockholm University Stockholm Sweden
| | - Mehmet K. Mahmut
- Department of Psychology, Food, Flavor and Fragrance Lab Macquarie University Sydney Australia
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5
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Love Stinks: The Association between Body Odors and Romantic Relationship Commitment. Brain Sci 2021; 11:brainsci11111522. [PMID: 34827521 PMCID: PMC8615518 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11111522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Anecdotal reports indicate that women dislike their partner’s body odor (BO) during the breakdown of a relationship; however, whether disliking a partner’s BO is associated with intentions to break up has not been empirically tested. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to investigate, for the first time, whether disliking one’s partner’s BOs is associated with experiencing lower commitment to a romantic relationship. Eighty participants (48 partnered, 32 single and previously partnered) completed self-report questionnaires about their current or previous romantic relationship and the amount of exposure to—and hedonic ratings of—their current or former partner’s BOs. Olfactory function was also tested, and participants smelled and rated various pieces of clothing imbued with a stranger’s BO. The results demonstrated that for participants who had experienced a breakup, historically higher levels of relationship commitment were associated with higher hedonic ratings of a previous partner’s BOs, regardless of the type of BOs. For participants currently in a relationship, lower relationship commitment was associated with higher breakup intentions in response to smelling their partner’s BOs. These preliminary results contribute evidence for the positive association between exposure to a partner’s BOs and favorable hedonic appraisals of BOs; however, further research needs to be conducted in this area to investigate nuances. Lower levels of exposure to one’s partner’s BOs may be more indicative of relationship commitment than exposure to hedonically unpleasant BOs of one’s partner. The findings are discussed with reference to their implications for interventions in relationship breakdown.
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Oleszkiewicz A, Idziak P, Rokosz M. The Importance of Intact Senses in Mating and Social Assessments Made by Deaf Individuals. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2021; 50:3799-3808. [PMID: 34637046 PMCID: PMC8604834 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-021-02016-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2019] [Revised: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Social perception is a multimodal process involving vision and audition as central input sources for human social cognitive processes. However, it remains unclear how profoundly deaf people assess others in the context of mating and social interaction. The current study explored the relative importance of different sensory modalities (vision, smell, and touch) in assessments of opposite- and same-sex strangers. We focused on potential sensory compensation processes in mate selection (i.e., increased importance of the intact senses in forming impressions of an opposite-sex stranger as a potential partner). A total of 74 deaf individuals and 100 normally hearing controls were included in the study sample. We found diminished importance of vision and smell in deaf participants compared with controls for opposite- and same-sex strangers, and increased importance of touch for the assessment of same-sex strangers. The results suggested that deaf people rely less on visual and olfactory cues in mating and social assessments, highlighting a possible role of sign language in shaping interpersonal tactile experience in non-romantic relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Oleszkiewicz
- Institute of Psychology, University of Wroclaw, ul. Dawida 1, 50-527, Wrocław, Poland.
- Taste and Smell Clinic, Technische Universitat Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
| | - Paulina Idziak
- Faculty of Psychology, SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Marta Rokosz
- Institute of Psychology, University of Wroclaw, ul. Dawida 1, 50-527, Wrocław, Poland
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7
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The Link between Attachment Style and Self-Reported Olfactory Ability: A Preliminary Investigation. Brain Sci 2021; 11:brainsci11101367. [PMID: 34679431 PMCID: PMC8533800 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11101367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Individuals in healthy romantic relationships gain significant benefits to their psychological wellbeing and physiological health. Notably, the majority of relationship research has focused on how adult attachment influences these relationship outcomes while the role of olfaction remains an emerging research focus. The aim of the current study was to bring together these seemingly unrelated factors–attachment and olfaction–in an online quasi-experimental design. The participants were 401 undergraduate students, predominantly females, ranging in age from 17 to 70 years. Participants completed a battery of questionnaires that evaluated their attachment tendencies, olfactory ability and experiences in romantic relationships. Results indicated that attachment insecurity, across both attachment anxiety and avoidance, was associated with decreased olfactory functioning for females. These findings provide preliminary evidence that olfaction is related to romantic relationship maintenance and suggests that body odors could be fundamental for evoking the attachment system. These findings also elicit enticing new avenues of research which can assist psychologists to provide targeted treatments to individuals with olfactory deficits and insecure attachment tendencies.
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8
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Damon F, Mezrai N, Magnier L, Leleu A, Durand K, Schaal B. Olfaction in the Multisensory Processing of Faces: A Narrative Review of the Influence of Human Body Odors. Front Psychol 2021; 12:750944. [PMID: 34675855 PMCID: PMC8523678 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.750944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
A recent body of research has emerged regarding the interactions between olfaction and other sensory channels to process social information. The current review examines the influence of body odors on face perception, a core component of human social cognition. First, we review studies reporting how body odors interact with the perception of invariant facial information (i.e., identity, sex, attractiveness, trustworthiness, and dominance). Although we mainly focus on the influence of body odors based on axillary odor, we also review findings about specific steroids present in axillary sweat (i.e., androstenone, androstenol, androstadienone, and estratetraenol). We next survey the literature showing body odor influences on the perception of transient face properties, notably in discussing the role of body odors in facilitating or hindering the perception of emotional facial expression, in relation to competing frameworks of emotions. Finally, we discuss the developmental origins of these olfaction-to-vision influences, as an emerging literature indicates that odor cues strongly influence face perception in infants. Body odors with a high social relevance such as the odor emanating from the mother have a widespread influence on various aspects of face perception in infancy, including categorization of faces among other objects, face scanning behavior, or facial expression perception. We conclude by suggesting that the weight of olfaction might be especially strong in infancy, shaping social perception, especially in slow-maturing senses such as vision, and that this early tutoring function of olfaction spans all developmental stages to disambiguate a complex social environment by conveying key information for social interactions until adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabrice Damon
- Developmental Ethology and Cognitive Psychology Laboratory, Centre des Sciences du Goût et de l’Alimentation, Inrae, AgroSup Dijon, CNRS (UMR 6265), Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Dijon, France
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9
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Prokosch ML, Airington Z, Murray DR. Investigating the relationship between olfactory acuity, disgust, and mating strategies. EVOL HUM BEHAV 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2020.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
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10
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Rozenkrantz L, Weissgross R, Weiss T, Ravreby I, Frumin I, Shushan S, Gorodisky L, Reshef N, Holzman Y, Pinchover L, Endevelt-Shapira Y, Mishor E, Soroka T, Finkel M, Tagania L, Ravia A, Perl O, Furman-Haran E, Carp H, Sobel N. Unexplained repeated pregnancy loss is associated with altered perceptual and brain responses to men's body-odor. eLife 2020; 9:e55305. [PMID: 32988456 PMCID: PMC7524551 DOI: 10.7554/elife.55305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Mammalian olfaction and reproduction are tightly linked, a link less explored in humans. Here, we asked whether human unexplained repeated pregnancy loss (uRPL) is associated with altered olfaction, and particularly altered olfactory responses to body-odor. We found that whereas most women with uRPL could identify the body-odor of their spouse, most control women could not. Moreover, women with uRPL rated the perceptual attributes of men's body-odor differently from controls. These pronounced differences were accompanied by an only modest albeit significant advantage in ordinary, non-body-odor-related olfaction in uRPL. Next, using structural and functional brain imaging, we found that in comparison to controls, most women with uRPL had smaller olfactory bulbs, yet increased hypothalamic response in association with men's body-odor. These findings combine to suggest altered olfactory perceptual and brain responses in women experiencing uRPL, particularly in relation to men's body-odor. Whether this link has any causal aspects to it remains to be explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liron Rozenkrantz
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- The Azrieli National Institute for Human Brain Imaging and Research, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Reut Weissgross
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- The Azrieli National Institute for Human Brain Imaging and Research, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Tali Weiss
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- The Azrieli National Institute for Human Brain Imaging and Research, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Inbal Ravreby
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- The Azrieli National Institute for Human Brain Imaging and Research, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Idan Frumin
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- The Azrieli National Institute for Human Brain Imaging and Research, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Sagit Shushan
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- The Azrieli National Institute for Human Brain Imaging and Research, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery, Edith Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, Israel
| | - Lior Gorodisky
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- The Azrieli National Institute for Human Brain Imaging and Research, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Netta Reshef
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- The Azrieli National Institute for Human Brain Imaging and Research, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Yael Holzman
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- The Azrieli National Institute for Human Brain Imaging and Research, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Liron Pinchover
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- The Azrieli National Institute for Human Brain Imaging and Research, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Yaara Endevelt-Shapira
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- The Azrieli National Institute for Human Brain Imaging and Research, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Eva Mishor
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- The Azrieli National Institute for Human Brain Imaging and Research, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Timna Soroka
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- The Azrieli National Institute for Human Brain Imaging and Research, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Maya Finkel
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- The Azrieli National Institute for Human Brain Imaging and Research, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Liav Tagania
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- The Azrieli National Institute for Human Brain Imaging and Research, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Aharon Ravia
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- The Azrieli National Institute for Human Brain Imaging and Research, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Ofer Perl
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- The Azrieli National Institute for Human Brain Imaging and Research, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Edna Furman-Haran
- The Azrieli National Institute for Human Brain Imaging and Research, Rehovot, Israel
- Life Sciences Core Facilities, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Howard Carp
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | - Noam Sobel
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- The Azrieli National Institute for Human Brain Imaging and Research, Rehovot, Israel
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Schäfer L, Sorokowska A, Sauter J, Schmidt AH, Croy I. Body odours as a chemosignal in the mother-child relationship: new insights based on an human leucocyte antigen-genotyped family cohort. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2020; 375:20190266. [PMID: 32306871 PMCID: PMC7209942 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2019.0266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Mothers are able to identify the body odour (BO) of their own child and prefer this smell above other BOs. It has hence been assumed that the infantile BO functions as a chemosignal promoting targeted parental care. We tested this hypothesis and examined whether children's BOs signal genetic similarity and developmental status to mothers. In addition, we assessed whether BOs facilitate inbreeding avoidance (Westermarck effect). In a cross-sectional design, N = 164 mothers participated with their biological children (N = 226 children, aged 0-18 years) and evaluated BO probes of their own and four other, sex-matched children. Those varied in age and in genetic similarity, which was assessed by human leucocyte antigen profiling. The study showed not only that mothers identified and preferred their own child's BO, but also that genetic similarity and developmental status are transcribed in BOs. Accordingly, maternal preference of their own child's odour changes throughout development. Our data partly supported the Westermarck effect: mothers' preference of pubertal boys' BOs was negatively related to testosterone for the own son, but not for unfamiliar children. This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue 'Olfactory communication in humans'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Schäfer
- Department of Psychosomatics, Technische Universität, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Agnieszka Sorokowska
- Department of Psychosomatics, Technische Universität, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany
- Smell and Taste Lab, Department of Psychology, University of Wroclaw, pl. Dawida 1, 50-527, Wroclaw, Poland
| | | | - Alexander H. Schmidt
- DKMS, Kressbach 1, 72072 Tübingen, Germany
- DKMS Life Science Lab, St. Petersburger Straße 2, 01069 Dresden, Germany
| | - Ilona Croy
- Department of Psychosomatics, Technische Universität, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany
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12
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Oleszkiewicz A, Kunkel F, Larsson M, Hummel T. Consequences of undetected olfactory loss for human chemosensory communication and well-being. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2020; 375:20190265. [PMID: 32306872 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2019.0265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Olfactory perception has implications for human chemosensory communication and in a broader context, it affects well-being. However, most of the studies investigating the consequences of olfactory loss have recruited patients who have already been categorized as having a dysfunctional sense of smell and sought help in an ENT clinic. We revisit these findings by distinguishing subjects with olfactory impairment from a group of subjects who all declared a normal sense of smell when enrolling for this study. In the initial sample of 203 individuals, we found 59 to have impaired olfaction and four with marginal olfactory performance, not useful in daily life. Interestingly, we found a significant between-group difference in cognitive functioning, further supporting the notion of the relationship between cognition and olfactory performance. However, their chemosensory communication and well-being appeared not to be different from subjects with normosmia. Impaired olfactory function certainly has a severe impact on daily life but more so in individuals who are bothered with it and decide to seek treatment. The limited-to-no olfactory perception in the fraction of subjects who neither complain about it nor seek help in ENT clinics does not seem to have a major effect on their social, cognitive, emotional and health functioning. This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue 'Olfactory communication in humans'.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Oleszkiewicz
- Smell and Taste Clinic, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany.,Institute of Psychology, University of Wroclaw, 50527 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - F Kunkel
- Smell and Taste Clinic, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - M Larsson
- Gösta Ekmans Laboratory, Stockholm University, 11419 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - T Hummel
- Smell and Taste Clinic, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
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13
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Mahmut MK, Croy I. The role of body odors and olfactory ability in the initiation, maintenance and breakdown of romantic relationships - A review. Physiol Behav 2019; 207:179-184. [PMID: 31077678 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2019.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2018] [Revised: 05/01/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this review is to present direct and indirect lines of converging evidence that highlight the many ways our body odors and sense of smell may influence the three broad stages of romantic relationships; initiation, maintenance and breakdown. This emerging area of study requires a multidisciplinary empirical approach. Here we survey research findings that taken together, suggest that body odor perception moderates mate choice, provides a source of comfort in existing relationships and may signal the breakdown of a relationship through disgust processes. In terms of olfactory ability, having a good sense of smell may facilitate identifying a healthy mate, enhance sexual experiences, relationship security and ensure empathic responsivity, predictors of relationship longevity. We therefore conclude that olfaction plays an important - yet understudied - role in romantic relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehmet K Mahmut
- Food, Flavour and Fragrance Lab, Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.
| | - Ilona Croy
- Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Germany
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