MHC and Olfactory Communication in Humans

1999 ◽  
pp. 181-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Eggert ◽  
R. Ferstl ◽  
W. Müller-Ruchholtz
Keyword(s):  
Olfactory Communication

Studies on Mammalian Pheromones, I. Ketones from the Pedal Gland of the Bontebok ( Damaliscus dorcas dorcas)

1976 ◽  
Vol 31 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 21-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. V. Burger ◽  
Maritha le Roux ◽  
C. F. Garbers ◽  
H. S. C. Spies ◽  
R. G. Bigalke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Volatile Component ◽  
The Other ◽  
Olfactory Communication ◽  
Mammalian Pheromones

Abstract The significance of pheromones in olfactory communication in mammals, and the possibility of using synthetic pheromones to influence the behaviour of problem animals, are briefly discussed. The isolation, identification and synthesis of the principal volatile component contained in the pedal gland exudate of the bontebok, Damaliscus dorcas dorcas, viz. (Z)-5-undecen-2-one, are reported. Some of the other major constituents of the secretion have been identified as 2-heptanone, 2 -nonanone, 2 -undecanone and 2,5-undecanedione.

scholarly journals Design, delivery and perception of condition-dependent chemical signals in strepsirrhine primates: implications for human olfactory communication

2020 ◽  
Vol 375 (1800) ◽  
pp. 20190264 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine M. Drea
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Information Transfer ◽  
Dominant Species ◽  
Vomeronasal Organ ◽  
Olfactory Communication ◽  
Scent Mark ◽  
Reproductive State ◽  
Intended Audience ◽  
Evolutionary Trajectories ◽  
Selection Of

The study of human chemical communication benefits from comparative perspectives that relate humans, conceptually and empirically, to other primates. All major primate groups rely on intraspecific chemosignals, but strepsirrhines present the greatest diversity and specialization, providing a rich framework for examining design, delivery and perception. Strepsirrhines actively scent mark, possess a functional vomeronasal organ, investigate scents via olfactory and gustatory means, and are exquisitely sensitive to chemically encoded messages. Variation in delivery, scent mixing and multimodality alters signal detection, longevity and intended audience. Based on an integrative, 19-species review, the main scent source used (excretory versus glandular) differentiates nocturnal from diurnal or cathemeral species, reflecting differing socioecological demands and evolutionary trajectories. Condition-dependent signals reflect immutable (species, sex, identity, genetic diversity, immunity and kinship) and transient (health, social status, reproductive state and breeding history) traits, consistent with socio-reproductive functions. Sex reversals in glandular elaboration, marking rates or chemical richness in female-dominant species implicate sexual selection of olfactory ornaments in both sexes. Whereas some compounds may be endogenously produced and modified (e.g. via hormones), microbial analyses of different odorants support the fermentation hypothesis of bacterial contribution. The intimate contexts of information transfer and varied functions provide important parallels applicable to olfactory communication in humans. This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue ‘Olfactory communication in humans’.

Neurobiology of olfactory communication in the honeybee

2008 ◽  
pp. 119-138
Author(s):  
Maria Gabriela de Brito-Sanchez ◽  
Nina Deisig ◽  
Jean-Christophe Sandoz ◽  
Martin Giurfa
Keyword(s):  
Olfactory Communication

scholarly journals Losing stinks! The effect of competition outcome on body odour quality

2020 ◽  
Vol 375 (1800) ◽  
pp. 20190267 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jitka Fialová ◽  
Vít Třebický ◽  
Radim Kuba ◽  
David Stella ◽  
Jakub Binter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Body ◽  
Dominance Hierarchy ◽  
Affective State ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Olfactory Communication ◽  
Affective States ◽  
Formal Level ◽  
Body Odour ◽  
Axillary Odour

Dominance hierarchy is often established via repeated agonistic encounters where consistent winners are considered dominant. Human body odour contains cues to psychological dominance and competition, but it is not known whether competition outcome (a marker of a change in dominance hierarchy) affects the hedonic quality of human axillary odour. Therefore, we investigated the effect of winning and losing on odour quality. We collected odour samples from Mixed Martial Arts fighters approximately 1 h before and immediately after a match. Raters then assessed samples for pleasantness, attractiveness, masculinity and intensity. We also obtained data on donors' affective state and cortisol and testosterone levels, since these are known to be associated with competition and body odour quality. Perceived body odour pleasantness, attractiveness and intensity significantly decreased while masculinity increased after a match irrespective of the outcome. Nonetheless, losing a match affected the pleasantness of body odour more profoundly, though bordering formal level of significance. Moreover, a path analysis revealed that match loss led to a decrease in odour attractiveness, which was mediated by participants’ negative affective states. Our study suggests that physical competition and to some extent also its outcome affect the perceived quality of human body odour in specific real-life settings, thus providing cues to dominance-related characteristics. This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue ‘Olfactory communication in humans’.

scholarly journals Interdisciplinary challenges for elucidating human olfactory attractiveness

2020 ◽  
Vol 375 (1800) ◽  
pp. 20190268 ◽  
Author(s):  
Camille Ferdenzi ◽  
Stéphane Richard Ortegón ◽  
Sylvain Delplanque ◽  
Nicolas Baldovini ◽  
Moustafa Bensafi
Keyword(s):  
Social Sciences ◽  
Social Interactions ◽  
Interpersonal Relationships ◽  
Chemical Communication ◽  
Cultural Practices ◽  
The Body ◽  
Olfactory Communication ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
The Face ◽  
Behavioural Sciences

Many species use chemicals to communicate. In humans, there is increasing evidence that chemicals conveyed by the body are extremely important in interpersonal relationships. However, many aspects of chemical communication remain to be explored to fully understand this function in humans. The aim of this article is to identify relevant challenges in this field, with a focus on human attractiveness in the context of reproduction, and to put forward roadmaps for future studies that will hopefully extend to a wider range of social interactions. The first challenge consists in not being limited to body (mal)odours from the axilla. Preliminary data on how the odour of the face and head is perceived are presented. Second, there is a crucial need to increase our knowledge of the chemical bases of human chemical communication. Third, cross-cultural approaches must not be overlooked, because they have a major input in understanding the universal and culture-specific aspects of chemical communication. Fourth, the influence of specific cultural practices such as contraceptive and fragrance use is likely to be prominent and, therefore, needs to be well described. The fifth and last challenge for research projects in this field is the integration of different disciplines such as behavioural sciences, social sciences, neurosciences and microbiology. This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue ‘Olfactory communication in humans’.

scholarly journals Encoding fear intensity in human sweat

2020 ◽  
Vol 375 (1800) ◽  
pp. 20190271 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jasper H. B. de Groot ◽  
Peter A. Kirk ◽  
Jay A. Gottfried
Keyword(s):  
Response Function ◽  
Dose Response ◽  
Physiological Data ◽  
Olfactory Communication ◽  
Film Clips ◽  
Combination Of Methods ◽  
Multivariate Pattern ◽  
And Control ◽  
Photo Ionization ◽  
Dose Response Function

Humans, like other animals, have an excellent sense of smell that can serve social communication. Although ample research has shown that body odours can convey transient emotions like fear, these studies have exclusively treated emotions as categorical , neglecting the question whether emotion quantity can be expressed chemically. Using a unique combination of methods and techniques, we explored a dose–response function: Can experienced fear intensity be encoded in fear sweat? Specifically, fear experience was quantified using multivariate pattern classification (combining physiological data and subjective feelings with partial least-squares-discriminant analysis), whereas a photo-ionization detector quantified volatile molecules in sweat. Thirty-six male participants donated sweat while watching scary film clips and control (calming) film clips. Both traditional univariate and novel multivariate analysis (100% classification accuracy; Q 2 : 0.76; R 2 : 0.79) underlined effective fear induction. Using their regression-weighted scores, participants were assigned significantly above chance (83% > 33%) to fear intensity categories (low–medium–high). Notably, the high fear group ( n = 12) produced higher doses of armpit sweat, and greater doses of fear sweat emitted more volatile molecules ( n = 3). This study brings new evidence to show that fear intensity is encoded in sweat (dose–response function), opening a field that examines intensity coding and decoding of other chemically communicable states/traits. This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue ‘Olfactory communication in humans’.

The Effects of Artificial Fragrances on Human Olfactory Communication

2019 ◽  
pp. 107-117
Author(s):  
Caroline Allen ◽  
Jan Havlíček ◽  
S. Craig Roberts
Keyword(s):  
Olfactory Communication

Chemical Differences Between Voided and Bladder Urine in the Aye-Aye (Daubentonia madagascariensis): Implications for Olfactory Communication Studies

2012 ◽  
Vol 75 (7) ◽  
pp. 695-702 ◽  
Author(s):  
JAVIER DELBARCO-TRILLO ◽  
INNOCENT H. HARELIMANA ◽  
THOMAS E. GOODWIN ◽  
CHRISTINE M. DREA
Keyword(s):  
Olfactory Communication ◽  
Communication Studies ◽  
Daubentonia Madagascariensis ◽  
Bladder Urine

Olfactory Communication and Neighbor Recognition in Giant Kangaroo Rats

Ethology ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 107 (2) ◽  
pp. 149-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather Gardner Murdock ◽  
Jan A. Randall
Keyword(s):  
Olfactory Communication ◽  
Kangaroo Rats ◽  
Neighbor Recognition
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