Abstract
Since the original writing of The Psychological Basis of Perfumery, new information has been generated about the chemical nature and semiochemical properties of human body odors. This has been made possible by dramatic improvements in chemical isolation and analysis techniques which have lowered the concentration levels at which odorous chemicals can be characterized. These techniques have been combined with innovative behavioral assays to test isolated fractions. In studies with mammals, semiochemicals have been shown to be responsible for both immediate behavioral responses (releaser pheromones) and longer-term physiological responses (primer pheromones).
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Albone, E. (1984) Mammalian Semiochemicals, Wiley, New York.
Anholt, R.R.H. (1991) Odor recognition and olfactory transduction: the new frontier. Chem. Senses, 16, 421–427.
Beauchamp, G., Doty, R., Moulton, D. and Mugford, R. (1976) The pheromone concept in mammalian chemical communication: a brief critique, in Mammalian Olfaction, Reproductive Processes and Behavior (ed. R. Doty), Academic Press, New York, pp. 143–160.
Bird, S. and Gower, D.B. (1981) The validation and use of a radioimmunoassay for 5α-androst-16-en-3-one in human axillary collections. J. Steroid Biochem., 14, 213–219.
Bird, S. and Gower, D.B. (1983) Estimation of the odorous steroid, 5 α -androst-16-en-3-one, in human saliva. Experentia, 39, 790–792.
Black, S. and Biron, C. (1982) Androstenol as a human pheromone: no effect on perceived physical attractiveness. Behav. Neurol. Biol., 34, 326–330.
Boelens, H., Haring, H., deRijke, D. (1983) Threshold values of and human preferences for 4-ethyloctanoic and 3-methylbutanoic acids. Perf. and Flav., 8, 71–74.
Brand, J. and Galask, R. (1986) Trimethylamine: the substance mainly responsible for the fishy odor often associated with bacterial vaginosis. Obstet. Gynecol. (NY), 68, 682–685.
Brooksbank, B. and Gower, D.B. (1970) The estimation of androstenol and other C19-Δ16-steroids in urine by gas-liquid chromatography. Acta Endocr. Copenh., 63, 79–90.
Brooksbank, B., Brown, R. and Gustafsson, J. (1974) The detection of 5α-androstenol in human male axillary sweat. Experentia, 30, 864–865.
Buck, L. and Axel, R. (1991) A novel multigene family may encode odorant receptors: a molecular basis for odor recognition. Cell, 65, 175–187.
Cowley, J., Johnson, A. and Brooksbank, B. (1977) The effect of two odorous compounds on performance in an assessment-of-people test. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 2, 159–172.
Cutler, W., Preti, G., Krieger, A., Huggins, G., Garcia, C. and Lawley, H. (1986) Human axillary secretions influence women’s menstrual cycles: the role of donor extract from men. Hormones Behav., 20, 463–473.
Doty, R. (1981) Olfactory communication in humans. Chem. Senses, 6, 351–376.
Dravnieks, A. (1975) Evaluation of human body odors: methods and interpretations. J. Soc. Cosmet. Chem., 26, 551–557.
Filsinger, E. and Fabes, R. (1985) Odor communication, pheromones, and human families. J. Marriage Fam., 47, 349–359.
Filsinger, E., Braun, J. and Monte, W. (1985) An examination of the effects of putative pheromones on human judgments. Ethology Sociobiol., 6, 227–236.
Goetz, N., Kaba, G., Good, D., Hussler, G. and Bore, P. (1988) Detection and identification of volatile compounds evolved from human hair and scalp using headspace gas chromatography. J. Soc. Cosmet. Chem., 39, 1–14.
Gordon, S., Smith, K., Rabinowitz, J. and Vagelos, P. (1973) Studies of trans-3-methyl-2-hexenoic acid in normal and schizophrenic humans. J. Lipid Res., 14, 495–503.
Gower, D.B. (1972) 16-Unsaturated C19 steroids: a review of their chemistry, biochemistry and possible physiological role. J. Steroid Biochem., 3, 45–103.
Gower, D.B. and Booth, W. (1986) Salivary pheromones in the pig and humans in relation to sexual status and age, in Ontogeny of the Olfactory System in Vertebrates (eds. W. Breipol and R. Apfelbach), Springer-Verlag, Berlin.
Gower, D.B., Hancock, M. and Bannister, L. (1981) Biochemical studies on the boar pheromones, in Biochemistry of Taste and Olfaction (eds. R.H. Cagan and M.R. Kare), Academic Press, New York, pp. 7–31.
Gower, D.B., Bird, S., Sharma, P. and House, F. (1985) Axillary 5-α-androst-16-en-3-one in men and women — relationships with olfactory acuity to odorous 16-androstenes. Experentia, 41, 1134–1136.
Gower, D.B., Nixon, A. and Mallet, A. (1988) The significance of odorous steroids in axillary odour, in Perfumery: The Psychology and Biology of Pragrance (eds. S. Van Toller and G. Dodd), Chapman and Hall, London, pp. 47–76.
Graham, C. and McGrew, W. (1980) Menstrual synchrony in female undergraduates living on a coeducational campus. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 5, 245–252.
Huggins, G. and Preti, G. (1981) Vaginal odors and secretions. Clin. Obstetrics Gynecology, 24, 355–377.
Jackman, R. and Noble, W. (1983) Normal axillary skin microflora in various populations. Clin. Exp. Dermatol., 8, 259–268.
Kanda, F., Yagi, E., Fukuda, M., Nakajima, K., Ohta, T. and Nakata, O. (1990a) Elucidation of chemical compounds responsible for foot malodour. British J. Dermatol, 122, 771–776.
Kanda, F., Nakane, T., Matsuoka, M. and Tomita, K. (1990b) Efficacy of novel hybrid powders to quench body malodors. J. Soc. Cosmet. Chem., 41, 197–207.
Karlson, P. and Luscher, M. (1959) Pheromones: a new term for a class of biologically active substances. Nature (London), 183, 55–56.
Kingsbury, A. and Brooksbank, B. (1978) The metabolism in man of 3H-5α-androst-16-en-3α-ol and of 3H-5α-androst-16-en-3-one. Hormone Research, 9, 254–270.
Kostelc, J., Preti, G., Zelson, P., Stoller, N. and Tonzetich, J. (1980) Salivary volatiles as indicators of periodontitis. J. Perio. Res., 15, 185–192.
Kostelc, J., Preti, G., Zelson, P., Tonzetich, J. and Huggins, G. (1981) Volatiles of exogenous origin from the human oral cavity. J. Chromat., 226, 315–323.
Köster, E., Jellinek, J.S., Verhelst, N., Mojet, J. and Linschoten, M. (1987) Odorants related to human body odor. J. Soc. Cosmet. Chem., 37, 409–428.
Labows, J.H. (1988) Odor detection, generation and etiology in the axilla, in Antiperspirants and Deodorants (eds. C. Felger and K. Laden), Marcel Dekker, New York, pp. 321–343.
Labows, J.N. and Wysocki, C.J. (1984) Individual differences in odor perception: specific anosmia. Perf. and Flav., 9, 21–26.
Labows, J.N., McGinley, K., Webster, G. and Leyden, J.J. (1979) Characteristic gamma-lactone odor production of the genus pityrosporum. Appl. Environ. Microbiol., 38, 412–415.
Leyden, J.J., McGinley, K., Hoelzle, E., Labows, J.N. and Kligman, A. (1981) The microbiology of the human axilla and its relationship to axillary odor. J. Inv. Dermatol., 11, 413–416.
McClintock, M. (1983) Synchronizing ovarian and birth cycles by female pheromones, in Chemical Signals in Vertebrates, Vol. 3 (eds. D. Muller-Schwarze and R. Silverstein), Plenum Press, New York, pp. 159–178.
Michael, R.P. (1972) Fragrance blends based on the fatty acids and their employment in pharmaceutical products and in cosmetic products. French Patent, No. 2124399.
Michael, R.P., Bonsall, R. and Warner, P. (1974) Human vaginal secretions: volatile fatty acid content. Science, 186, 1217–1219.
Morris, N. and Udry, J.R. (1978) Pheromonal influences on human sexual behaviour: an experimental search. J. Biosoc. Sci., 10, 147–157.
Nixon, A., Mallet, A. and Gower, D.B. (1988) Simultaneous quantification of five odorous steroids in the axillary hair of men. J. Steroid Biochem., 29, 505–510.
Nordstrum, K., McGinley, K., Cappiello, L., Zechman, J. and Leyden, J. (1987) Pitted keratolysis: the role of Micrococcus sedentarius. Arch. Dermat., 123, 1320–1325.
Pelosi, P. and Maida, R. (1990) Odorant-binding proteins in vertebrates and insects: similarities and possible common function. Chem. Senses, 15, 205–215.
Pesvner, J. and Snyder, S. (1990) Odorant-binding protein: odorant transport function in the vertebrate nasal epithelium. Chem. Senses, 15, 217–222.
Prelog, V., Ruzicka, L., Meister, P. and Wieland, P. (1945) Steroide und Sexual-hormone. 113. Mitteilung. Untersuchungen über den Zusammenhangzwischen Konstitution und Geruch bei Steroiden. Helv. Chem. Acta., 28, 618–627.
Preti, G., Zelson, P., Kostelc, J., Huggins, G. and Tonzetich, J. (1980) Cyclic variations in salivary volatiles. J. Dent. Res. (Special Issue A), 59, 356.
Preti, G., Cutler, W.B., Garcia, C.R., Huggins, G.R. and Lawley, H.J. (1986) Human axillary secretions influence women’s menstrual cycles: the role of donor extract of females. Hormones Behav., 20, 474–482.
Preti, G., Cutler, W., Christensen, C., Lawley, H., Huggins, G. and Garcia, C.R. (1987) Human axillary extracts: analysis of compounds from samples which influence menstrual timing. J. Chem. Ecol., 13, 717–731.
Quadagno, D., Shubeita, H., Deck, J. and Francoeur, D. (1981) Influence of male social contacts, exercise and all-female living conditions on the menstrual cycle. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 6, 239–244.
Quinton, P. (1988) Structure and function of eccrine sweat glands in humans, in Antiperspirants and Deodorants (eds. C. Felger and K. Laden), Marcell Dekker, New York, pp. 57–89.
Rennie, P., Holland, K., Mallet, A., Watkins, W. and Gower, D.B. (1988) Quantification of androst-16-enes in human sterile apocrine secretions: comparison with axillary skin washings. J. Endocrinol., 123 (suppl.), 130–140.
Rennie, P., Gower, D.B., Holland, K., Mallet, A. and Watkins, W. (1990) The skin microflora and the formation of human axillary odour. Int. J. Cosmet. Sci., 12, 197–207.
Rennie, P., Gower, D.B. and Holland, K. (1991) In-vitro and in-vivo studies of human axillary odour and the cutaneous microflora. Brit. J. Dermatol., 124, 596–602.
Russell, M. (1983) Human olfactory communication, in Chemical Signals in Vertebrates, Vol. 3 (eds. D. Muller-Schwarze and R. Silverstein), Plenum Press, New York, pp. 259–273.
Sasada, H., Sugiyama, T., Yamashita, K. and Masaki, J. (1983) Identification of specific odor components in mature male goat during the breeding season. Nippon Chikusan Gakkai Ho, 54, 401–408.
Sastry, S., Buck, K., Janak, J., Dressler, M. and Preti, G. (1980) Volatiles emitted by humans, in Biochemical Applications of Mass Spectrometry (eds. G. Waller and O. Dermer), Wiley, New York, pp. 1086–1133.
Singer, A. and Macrides, F. (1990) Aphrodisin: pheromone or transducer?, Chem. Senses, 15, 199–203.
Smith, K., Thompson, G. and Koster, H. (1969) Sweat in schizophrenic patients: identification of the odorous substances. Science, 166, 398–399.
Stack, M. (1979) Applications of gas chromatography in dental research. J. Chromatog., 165, 103–116.
Sugiyama, T., Sasada, H., Masaki, J. and Yamashita, K. (1981) Unusual fatty acids with specific odor from mature male goats. J. Agric. Biol. Chem., 45, 2655–2658.
Tonzetich, J. (1977) Production and origin of oral malodor. J. Periodontol., 48, 13–20.
Tonzetich, J., Preti, G. and Huggins, G. (1978) Changes in concentrations of volatile sulfur compounds of mouth air during the menstrual cycle. J. Int. Med. Res., 6, 245–254.
Van Toller, S. (1988) Odours, emotion and psychophysiology. Int. J. Cosmet. Sci., 10, 171–197.
Van Toller, S. (1992) Brain representation of perfume perception, in Aromacology: Perfume, Smell and Behavior (ed. S. Van Toller), Elsevier, Essex.
Wysocki, C. and Beauchamp, G. (1984) Ability to smell androstenone is genetically determined. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 81, 4899–4902.
Wysocki, C.J., Beauchamp, G.K., Schmidt, H.J. and Dorries, K.M. (1987) Changes in olfactory sensitivity to androstenone with age and experience. Chem. Senses, 12, 637–641.
Zeng, X., Leyden, J., Lawley, H., Sawano, K., Nohara, I. and Preti, G. (1991) Analysis of the characteristic odors from the male axillae. J. Chem. Ecol., 17, 1469–1492.
Editor information
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1997 Chapman & Hall
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Labows, J.N. (1997). The chemistry and semiology of human body odors. In: Jellinek, J.S. (eds) The Psychological Basis of Perfumery. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-1567-1_21
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-1567-1_21
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-94-010-7200-7
Online ISBN: 978-94-009-1567-1
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive