Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Ontogeny of Human Olfactory Function

  • Chapter
Ontogeny of Olfaction

Abstract

Until recently, little was known about the onset of olfactory function in humans or about the nature of alterations in smell function across the lifespan. Unequivocal answers to such basic questions as to whether neonates can detect odorants (independent of trigeminal stimulation) or to what degree smell ability declines in old age were not available. During the last decade a number of behavioral studies have provided definitive answers to such questions, ushering in a new era of human behavioral research. This research, complemented by anatomical studies, indicates that the human olfactory system is operative at birth and that massive loss of smell function occurs in many older individuals. However, as will be addressed in this chapter, numerous other questions concerning the nature of age-related changes in human olfactory function remains unanswered.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Altman J (1969) Autoradiographic and histological studies of postnatal neurogenesis. IV. Cell proliferation and migration in the anterior forebrain, with special reference to persistent neurogenesis in the olfactory bulb. J. Comp Neurol 137: 433–458

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Altman J, Das GD (1966) Autoradiographic and histological studies of postnatal neurogenesis. I. A longitudinal investigation of the kinetics, migration, and transformation of cells incorporating tritiated thymidine in neonate rats, with special reference to postnatal neurogenesis in some brain regions. J Comp Neurol 126: 337–389

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Baron G, Frahm HD, Bhatnagar KP, Stephan H (1983) Comparison of brain structure volumes in Insectivora and Primates. III. Main olfactory bulb (MOB). J Hirnforsch 24: 551–68

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Beauchamp GK, Moran M (1982) Dietary experience and sweet taste preference in human infants. Appetite 3: 139–152

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Beauchamp GK, Moran M (1984) Acceptance of sweet and salty tastes in 2-year-old children. Appetite 5: 291–303

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Blass EM, Teicher HH, Cramer CP, Bruno JP, Hall WC (1977) Olfactory, thermal and tactile control of suckling in preauditory and previsual rats. J Comp Physiol Psychol 91: 1248–1260

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bossy J (1980) Development of olfactory and related structures in staged human embryos. Anat Embryol (Berlin) 161: 225–236

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Brown JW (1974) Prenatal development of the human chief sensory trigeminal nucleus. J Comp Neurol 156: 307–335

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cain WS, Johnson F Jr (1979) Lability of odor pleasantness: Influence of mere exposure. Perception 7: 459–465

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cernoch JM, Porter RH (1985) Recognition of maternal axillary odors by infants. Child Develop, in press

    Google Scholar 

  • Disher DR (1934) the reactions of newborn infants to chemical stimuli administered nasally. In: Dockeray FC (ed) Studies of infant behavior. Ohio State Univ Press, Columbus, pp 1–52

    Google Scholar 

  • Doty RL (1985a) Gender and endocrine-related influences upon olfactory sensitivity. In: Meiselman HL, Rivlin RS (eds) Clinical measurement of taste and smell. MacMillan, New York, in press

    Google Scholar 

  • Doty RL (1985b) Odor-guided behavior in mammals. Experientia, in press

    Google Scholar 

  • Doty RL, Brugger WE, Jurs PC, Onndorff MA, Snyder PJ, Lowry LD (1978) Intranasal trigeminal stimulation from odorous volatiles: Psychometric responses from anosmic and normal humans. Physiol Behav 20: 175–185

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Doty RL, Shaman P, Dann M (1984a) Development of the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test: A standardized microencapsulated test of olfactoyr function. Physiol Behav (Monograph) 32: 489–502

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Doty RL, Shaman P, Applebaum SL, Giberson R, Sikorski L, Rosensberg L (1984b) Smell identification ability: Changes with age. Science 226: 1441–1443

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Doty RL, Newhouse MC, Azzalina JD (1985a) Internal consistency and short-term test-retest reability of the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test. Chem Senses 10: 297–300

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Doty RL, Applebaum SL, Zusho H, Settle RG (1985b) A cross-cultural study of sex differences in odor identification ability. Neuropsychologia 23: 667–672

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Engen T (1974) Method and theory in the study of odor preference. In: Johnston JW, Moulton DG, Turk A (eds) Human responses to environmental odors. Academic Press, New York, pp 121–141

    Google Scholar 

  • Engen T, Corbit TE (1970) Feasibility of olfactory coding of noxious substances to insure aversive responses in young children. Publication ICRL-RR 69–6, Injury Control Research Laboratory, U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare, Public Health Service, Environmental Health Service

    Google Scholar 

  • Engen T, Lipsitt LP (1965) Decrement and recovery of responses to olfactory stimuli in the human neonate. J Comp Physiol 59: 312–316

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Engen T, Lipsitt LP, Kay H (1963) Olfactory responses and adaptation in the human neonate. J Comp Physiol Psychol 56: 73–77

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Casser RF, Hendrickx AG (1969) The development of the trigeminal nerve in baboon embryos (Papio sp.) J Comp Neurol 136: 159–182

    Google Scholar 

  • Genzmer A (1873) Untersuchungen über die Sinneswahrnehmungen des neugeborenen Menschen. Inaugural Disertation, Halle

    Google Scholar 

  • Gesteland RC, Yancy RA, Farbman Al (1982) Development of olfactory receptor neuron selectivity in the rat fetus. Neuroscience 7: 3127–3136

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Greene LS, Desor JA, Maller O (1975) Heredity and experience: Their relative importance in the development of taste preference in man. J Comp Physiol Psychol 89: 279–284

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Harper R, Bate Smith EC, Land DG (1968) Odour description and odour classification. American Elsevier, New York, p 191

    Google Scholar 

  • Hinds JW (1968a) Autoradiographic study of histogenesis in the mouse olfactory bulb — 1. Time of origin of neurons and neuroglia. J Comp Neurol 134: 287–304

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hinds JW (1968b) Autoradiographic study of histogenesis in the mouse olfactory bulb — 2. Cell proliferation and migration. J Comp Neurol 134: 305–322

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hogg ID (1941) Sensory nerves and associated structures in the skin of human fetuses of 8 to 14 weeks of menstrual age correlated with functional capability. J Comp Neurol 75: 371–410

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hrboticky N, Korndly M (1984) Acculturation to Canadian foods by Chinese immigrant boys: Changes in the perceived flavor, health value and prestige of foods. Appetite 5: 117–126

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hubert HB, Fabsitz RR, Feinleib M (1980) Olfactory sensitivity in humans: Genetic versus environmentel control. Scienc 208: 607–609

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Humphrey T (1949) The development of the olfactory and accessory olfactory formation in human embryos and fetuses. J Comp Neurol 73: 431–468

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Humphrey T (1966) The development of trigeminal nerve fibers to the oral mucosa, compared with their development to cutaneous surfaces. J Comp Neurol 126: 91–108

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kneip HH, Morgan WL, Young PT (1931) Studies in affective psychology. XI. Individual differences in affective reactions to odors. Amer J Psychol 43: 89–95

    Google Scholar 

  • Koelega HS, Koster EP (1974) Some experiments on sex differences in odor perception. Ann New York Acad Sci 237: 234–246

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kroner T (1881) Ãœber die Sinnesempfindungen der Neugeborenen. Breslauer Ärzliche Zeitschrift. Cited in Peterson and Rainey, 1910–1911

    Google Scholar 

  • Kussmaul A (1859) Untersuchungen über das Seelenleben des neugeborenen Menschen. CF Winter’sche Verlagsbuchhandlung, Leibzig und Heidelberg

    Google Scholar 

  • Laing DG, Clark PJ (1983) Puberty and olfactory preferences of males. Physiol Behav 30: 591–597

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Le Magnen J (1952) Les phenomenes olfacto-sexuels chez l’homme. Arch Sci Physiol 6: 125–160

    Google Scholar 

  • Lipsitt LP, Engen T, Kaye H (1963) Developmental changes in the olfactory threshold of the neonate. Child Develop 34: 371–376

    Google Scholar 

  • Macfarlane A (1975) Olfaction in the development of social preferences in the human neonate. In: Macfarlane A (ed), CIBA Foundation Symposium 33: 103–117

    Google Scholar 

  • Marshall DA, Doty Rl, Lucero DP, Slotnick BM (1981) Odor detection thresholds in the rat for the vapors of three related perfluorcarbons and ethylene glycol dinitrate. Chem Senses 6: 421–433

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Masolella V (1934) L olfatto nella diverse eta. Arch Ital Otol Rinol Laringol 46: 43–62

    Google Scholar 

  • McCartney W (1968) Olfaction and odours. Springer-Verlag, Berlin.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moncrieff RW (1966) Odour preferences. Wiley, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Nakashima T, Kimmelman CP, Snow JB, Jr (1984) Structure of human fetal and adult olfactory neuroepithelium. Arch Otolaryngol 110: 641–646

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nakashima T, Kimmelman CP, Snow JB, Jr (1985) Immunohistopathology of human olfactory epithelium, nerve and bulb. Laryngoscope 95: 391–396

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Peto E (1936) Contribution to the development of smell feeling. Brit J Med Psychol 15: 314–320

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Peterson F, Rainey LH (1910–1911) The beginnings of mind in the new born. Bull Lying Hosp 7: 99–122

    Google Scholar 

  • Pfaffman C (1960) The pleasures of sensation. Psychol Rev 67: 253–268

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pliner P (1982) The effects of mere exposure on liking for edible substances. Appetite 3: 283–290

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pyatkina GA (1982) Development of the olfactory epithelium in man. Z Mikrosk Anat Forsch 96: 361–372

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rieser J, Yonas A, Wikner K, (1976) Radial localization of odors by newborns. Child Develop 47: 856–859

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rozin P, Kennel K (1983) Acquired preferences for piquant foods by chimpanzees. Appetite 4: 69–77

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rozin P, Schiller D (1980) The nature and aquisition of a preference for chili pepper by humans. Motiv Emot 4: 77–101

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rudy JW, Cheatle MD (1977) Odor-aversion learning in neonatal rats. Science 198: 845–846

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Russell MJ (1976) Human olfactory communication. Nature 260: 520–522

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schiffman S (1974) Physicochemical correlates of olfactory quality. Science 185: 112–117

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Scott TR, Perrotto RS (1980) Intensity coding in pontine taste area: guestatory information is processed similarly throughout rat’s brain stem. J Neurophysiol 44: 739–750

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Self PA, Horowitz FD, Paden LY (1972) Olfaction in newborn infants. Develop Psychol 7: 349–363

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smotherman WP (1982) Odor aversion learning by the rat fetus. Physiol Behav 29: 769–777

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stein M, Ottenberg P, Roulet N (1958) A study of the development of olfactory preferences. AMA Archiv Neurolog Psychiat 80: 264–266

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Steiner JE (1977) Facial expressions of the neonate indicating the hedonics of food-related chemical stimuli. In: Weiffenbach JM (ed) Tast and development. DHEW Publication No. (NIH) 77–1068, pp 173–189

    Google Scholar 

  • Steiner JE (1979) Human facial expressions in response to taste and smell stimulation. Adv Child Dev Behav 13: 257–295

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Strauss EL (1970) A study on olfactory acuity. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 79: 94–104

    Google Scholar 

  • Streeter GL (1908) The peripheral nervous system in the human embryo at the end of the first month (10 mm). Amer J Anat 8: 285–302

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Toulouse E, Vaschide N (1899) Mesure de I odorat chez les enfants. C R Soc Biol 51: 487–489

    Google Scholar 

  • Wenzel BM (1948) Techniques in olfactometry: A critical review of the last one hundred years. Psychol Bull 45: 231–247

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wilson DB (1980) Embryonic development of the head and neck: part 4, organs of special sense. Head Neck Surg 2: 237–247

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wysocki CJ, Beauchamp GK (1984) Ability to smell androstenone is genetically determined. Proc Nat Acad Sci 81: 4899–4902

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Human Communication, Smell and Taste Center, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA

    R. L. Doty

  2. Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA

    R. L. Doty

Authors
  1. R. L. Doty
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anatomy, University of Queensland, St. Lucia/Brisbane, Australia, 4067

    Winrich Breipohl

  2. Institut für Biologie III, Universität Tübingen, 7400, Tübingen, Germany

    Raimund Apfelbach

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1986 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Doty, R.L. (1986). Ontogeny of Human Olfactory Function. In: Breipohl, W., Apfelbach, R. (eds) Ontogeny of Olfaction. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-71576-1_1

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-71576-1_1

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-71578-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-71576-1

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation