Individual variability of human olfactory sensitivity to volatile steroids: Environmental and genetic factors

Dokl Biol Sci. 2017 Mar;473(1):77-79. doi: 10.1134/S0012496617020144. Epub 2017 May 16.

Abstract

The sensitivity to androstenone and possible factors, determining the sensitivity were investigated for the large sample of inhabitants of central Russia (n = 860). Specific anosmia was detected in 48.8% of subjects. Women were more sensitive to androstenone than men. The proportion of men, but not women perceiving the smell of androstenone as a strong one in the concentration used decreased with age. Smoking, blood group, or ethnicity had no significant effect on the expression of specific anosmia and the perception of androstenone odor intensity.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Androsterone / chemistry*
  • Androsterone / genetics
  • Child
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Olfactory Receptor Neurons / drug effects
  • Olfactory Receptor Neurons / physiology*
  • Russia
  • Sex Characteristics
  • Smell / genetics
  • Smell / physiology*
  • Volatile Organic Compounds / chemistry*

Substances

  • Volatile Organic Compounds
  • Androsterone