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Poirier AC, Melin AD. Smell throughout the life course. Evol Anthropol 2024; 33:e22030. [PMID: 38704704 DOI: 10.1002/evan.22030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
The sense of smell is an important mediator of health and sociality at all stages of life, yet it has received limited attention in our lineage. Olfaction starts in utero and participates in the establishment of social bonds in children, and of romantic and sexual relationships after puberty. Smell further plays a key role in food assessment and danger avoidance; in modern societies, it also guides our consumer behavior. Sensory abilities typically decrease with age and can be impacted by diseases, with repercussions on health and well-being. Here, we critically review our current understanding of human olfactory communication to refute outdated notions that our sense of smell is of low importance. We provide a summary of the biology of olfaction, give a prospective overview of the importance of the sense of smell throughout the life course, and conclude with an outline of the limitations and future directions in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice C Poirier
- Department of Anthropology and Archaeology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Amanda D Melin
- Department of Anthropology and Archaeology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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2
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Alary J, Schaal B, Chotro G, Patris B, Destrez A. Mother’s scent for motherless neonates: Responses of artificially reared lambs to ewe’s inguinal wax odor. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2022.105812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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3
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Klaey-Tassone M, Durand K, Damon F, Heyers K, Mezrai N, Patris B, Sagot P, Soussignan R, Schaal B. Human neonates prefer colostrum to mature milk: Evidence for an olfactory bias toward the "initial milk"? Am J Hum Biol 2020; 33:e23521. [PMID: 33151021 DOI: 10.1002/ajhb.23521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Revised: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Colostrum is the initial milk secretion which ingestion by neonates warrants their adaptive start in life. Colostrum is accordingly expected to be attractive to newborns. The present study aims to assess whether colostrum is olfactorily attractive for 2-day-old newborns when presented against mature milk or a control. METHODS The head-orientation of waking newborns was videotaped in three experiments pairing the odors of: (a) colostrum (sampled on postpartum day 2, not from own mother) and mature milk (sampled on average on postpartum day 32, not from own mother) (n tested newborns = 15); (b) Colostrum and control (water; n = 9); and (c) Mature milk and control (n = 13). RESULTS When facing the odors of colostrum and mature milk, the infants turned their nose significantly longer toward former (32.8 vs 17.7% of a 120-s test). When exposed to colostrum against the control, they responded in favor of colostrum (32.9 vs 16.6%). Finally, when the odor of mature milk was presented against the control, their response appeared undifferentiated (26.7 vs 28.6%). CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that human newborns can olfactorily differentiate conspecific lacteal fluids sampled at different lactation stages. They prefer the odor of the mammary secretion - colostrum - collected at the lactation stage that best matches the postpartum age of their own mother. These results are discussed in the context of the earliest mother-infant chemo-communication. Coinciding maternal emission and offspring reception of chemosignals conveyed in colostrum may be part of the sensory precursors of attunement between mothers and infants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magali Klaey-Tassone
- Developmental Ethology & Cognitive Psychology Laboratory, Centre for Smell, Taste and Feeding Behavior Science, UMR 6265 CNRS, Université de Bourgogne-Franche-Comté-Inrae-AgroSupDijon, Dijon, France
| | - Karine Durand
- Developmental Ethology & Cognitive Psychology Laboratory, Centre for Smell, Taste and Feeding Behavior Science, UMR 6265 CNRS, Université de Bourgogne-Franche-Comté-Inrae-AgroSupDijon, Dijon, France
| | - Fabrice Damon
- Developmental Ethology & Cognitive Psychology Laboratory, Centre for Smell, Taste and Feeding Behavior Science, UMR 6265 CNRS, Université de Bourgogne-Franche-Comté-Inrae-AgroSupDijon, Dijon, France
| | - Katrin Heyers
- Developmental Ethology & Cognitive Psychology Laboratory, Centre for Smell, Taste and Feeding Behavior Science, UMR 6265 CNRS, Université de Bourgogne-Franche-Comté-Inrae-AgroSupDijon, Dijon, France
| | - Nawel Mezrai
- Developmental Ethology & Cognitive Psychology Laboratory, Centre for Smell, Taste and Feeding Behavior Science, UMR 6265 CNRS, Université de Bourgogne-Franche-Comté-Inrae-AgroSupDijon, Dijon, France
| | - Bruno Patris
- Developmental Ethology & Cognitive Psychology Laboratory, Centre for Smell, Taste and Feeding Behavior Science, UMR 6265 CNRS, Université de Bourgogne-Franche-Comté-Inrae-AgroSupDijon, Dijon, France
| | - Paul Sagot
- Service de Gynécologie, Obstétrique et Biologie de la Reproduction, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire François Mitterrand, and Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, France
| | - Robert Soussignan
- Developmental Ethology & Cognitive Psychology Laboratory, Centre for Smell, Taste and Feeding Behavior Science, UMR 6265 CNRS, Université de Bourgogne-Franche-Comté-Inrae-AgroSupDijon, Dijon, France
| | - Benoist Schaal
- Developmental Ethology & Cognitive Psychology Laboratory, Centre for Smell, Taste and Feeding Behavior Science, UMR 6265 CNRS, Université de Bourgogne-Franche-Comté-Inrae-AgroSupDijon, Dijon, France
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4
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Lévy F, Badonnel K, Bertin A, Cornilleau F, Durieux D, Meurisse M, Nowak R, Parias C, Persuy MA, Baly C. Artificial milk preference of newborn lambs is prenatally influenced by transfer of the flavor from the maternal diet to the amniotic fluid. Physiol Behav 2020; 227:113166. [PMID: 32891606 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2020.113166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Revised: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The present study examined in lambs whether exposure to flavors derived from pregnant mother's diet and transferred to amniotic fluid (AF) could induce a preference for artificial milk containing one of these flavors. To test this hypothesis, cumin was added to the maternal diet in the last month of gestation. Preference for artificial milk containing p-cymene, one of the chemosensory compounds of cumin, was tested within the first two days after birth in maternally deprived lambs born from mothers fed a cumin-flavored diet (Cumin group), or an unflavored diet (Control group). Aromatic profile of AF from cumin-fed mothers was analyzed by GC-MS/MS to determine whether p-cymene could be detected. While the control group avoided the flavored artificial milk on day 1, the Cumin group did not and showed a preference for the cumin-scented formula on day 2. GC-MS/MS profile of AF revealed that four of the main volatile cumin compounds, p-cymene, p-cymenene, β-pinene and γ-terpinene were present in variable amounts in all samples, p-cymene being the most frequently detected. These findings indicate that newborn lambs can memorize flavors from the mother's diet present in AF and that prenatal experience influences their preference for an artificial milk containing one specific flavor.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Lévy
- UMR Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, INRAE/CNRS/Univ. de Tours/IFCE, Centre INRAE val de Loire, Nouzilly, France.
| | - K Badonnel
- NBO, INRAE, Université Paris-Saclay, 78350 Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - A Bertin
- UMR Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, INRAE/CNRS/Univ. de Tours/IFCE, Centre INRAE val de Loire, Nouzilly, France
| | - F Cornilleau
- UMR Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, INRAE/CNRS/Univ. de Tours/IFCE, Centre INRAE val de Loire, Nouzilly, France
| | - D Durieux
- NBO, INRAE, Université Paris-Saclay, 78350 Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - M Meurisse
- UMR Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, INRAE/CNRS/Univ. de Tours/IFCE, Centre INRAE val de Loire, Nouzilly, France
| | - R Nowak
- UMR Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, INRAE/CNRS/Univ. de Tours/IFCE, Centre INRAE val de Loire, Nouzilly, France
| | - C Parias
- UMR Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, INRAE/CNRS/Univ. de Tours/IFCE, Centre INRAE val de Loire, Nouzilly, France
| | - M A Persuy
- NBO, INRAE, Université Paris-Saclay, 78350 Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - C Baly
- NBO, INRAE, Université Paris-Saclay, 78350 Jouy-en-Josas, France
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5
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Klaey-Tassone M, Schaal B, Durand K, Patris B. The role of papillary skin glands in guiding mouse pups to the nipple. Dev Psychobiol 2020; 63:226-236. [PMID: 32643155 DOI: 10.1002/dev.22004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Revised: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
The nipple odor of lactating mice (Mus musculus) plays a crucial role in attracting newborn pups and motivating them to suck milk. The characteristic odor of a lactating murine nipple is assumed to be a mixture of multiple odorous substrates, that is, milk, dam's and pups' saliva, skin glands' secretions, and amniotic fluid. The present study aimed to characterize the behavioral activity of the original odor mixture that develops over the nipples in the first 2 days postpartum. We extracted this odor mixture in water and evaluated its attractive and appetitive potencies using two behavioral assays (viz., relative attraction and oral activation assays). It resulted that the so-called nipple wash was as appetitive as fresh milk, and even more attractive than it. The behavioral potency of the nipples was shown to be specific to lactating nipples (relative to nulliparous nipples) and to be preserved for 2 weeks when stored at -80°C. Finally, we perfected a nipple deodorization procedure by inactivating the nipples' behavioral potency. We observed that such altered appetitive potency was fully restored 30 min after its washing, but without any maternal self-licking and pups' sucking, indicating that the secretions of the nipple skin glands' were sufficient to explain the success of neonatal guidance to the nipple.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magali Klaey-Tassone
- Developmental Ethology & Cognitive Psychology Group, Taste and Food Sciences Research Centre, Dijon, France
| | - Benoist Schaal
- Developmental Ethology & Cognitive Psychology Group, Taste and Food Sciences Research Centre, Dijon, France
| | - Karine Durand
- Developmental Ethology & Cognitive Psychology Group, Taste and Food Sciences Research Centre, Dijon, France
| | - Bruno Patris
- Developmental Ethology & Cognitive Psychology Group, Taste and Food Sciences Research Centre, Dijon, France
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6
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Schaal B, Saxton TK, Loos H, Soussignan R, Durand K. Olfaction scaffolds the developing human from neonate to adolescent and beyond. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2020; 375:20190261. [PMID: 32306879 PMCID: PMC7209940 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2019.0261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The impact of the olfactory sense is regularly apparent across development. The fetus is bathed in amniotic fluid (AF) that conveys the mother's chemical ecology. Transnatal olfactory continuity between the odours of AF and milk assists in the transition to nursing. At the same time, odours emanating from the mammary areas provoke appetitive responses in newborns. Odours experienced from the mother's diet during breastfeeding, and from practices such as pre-mastication, may assist in the dietary transition at weaning. In parallel, infants are attracted to and recognize their mother's odours; later, children are able to recognize other kin and peers based on their odours. Familiar odours, such as those of the mother, regulate the child's emotions, and scaffold perception and learning through non-olfactory senses. During juvenility and adolescence, individuals become more sensitive to some bodily odours, while the timing of adolescence itself has been speculated to draw from the chemical ecology of the family unit. Odours learnt early in life and within the family niche continue to influence preferences as mate choice becomes relevant. Olfaction thus appears significant in turning on, sustaining and, in cases when mother odour is altered, disturbing adaptive reciprocity between offspring and carer during the multiple transitions of development between birth and adolescence. This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue 'Olfactory communication in humans'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benoist Schaal
- Developmental Ethology and Cognitive Psychology Laboratory, Centre des Sciences du Goût, UMR 6265 CNRS-Université de Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Inra-AgroSup, Dijon, France
| | - Tamsin K. Saxton
- Department of Psychology, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Hélène Loos
- Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
- Department of Sensory Analytics, Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging IVV, Freising, Germany
| | - Robert Soussignan
- Developmental Ethology and Cognitive Psychology Laboratory, Centre des Sciences du Goût, UMR 6265 CNRS-Université de Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Inra-AgroSup, Dijon, France
| | - Karine Durand
- Developmental Ethology and Cognitive Psychology Laboratory, Centre des Sciences du Goût, UMR 6265 CNRS-Université de Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Inra-AgroSup, Dijon, France
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7
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Roberts SC, Havlíček J, Schaal B. Human olfactory communication: current challenges and future prospects. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2020; 375:20190258. [PMID: 32306869 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2019.0258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Although anthropologists frequently report the centrality of odours in the daily lives and cultural beliefs of many small-scale communities, Western scholars have historically considered the sense of smell as minimally involved in human communication. Here, we suggest that the origin and persistence of this latter view might be a consequence of the fact that most research is conducted on participants from Western societies who, collectively, were rather old (adults), deodorized and desensitized (ODD) to various aspects of olfactory perception. The view is rapidly changing, however, and this themed issue provides a timely overview of the current state-of-the-art on human chemocommunication. Based on evolutionary models of communication, the papers cover both general mechanisms of odour production by 'senders' and odour perception by 'receivers'. Focus on specific functional contexts includes reciprocal impact of odours between infants and mothers, the role of odour in mate choice and how odours communicate emotion and disease. Finally, a position paper outlines pitfalls and opportunities for the future, against the context of the replication crisis in psychology. We believe a more nuanced view of human chemical communication is within our grasp if we can continue to develop inter-disciplinary insights and expand research activities beyond ODD people. This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue 'Olfactory communication in humans'.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Craig Roberts
- Division of Psychology, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK
| | - Jan Havlíček
- Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, 128 42 Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Benoist Schaal
- Developmental Ethology and Cognitive Psychology Laboratory, Centre for Taste, Smell and Feeding Behaviour Science, UMR 6265 CNRS-Université de Bourgogne-Inra-AgroSup, Dijon, France
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8
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Klaey-Tassone M, Patris B, Durand K, Schaal B. Attractive and appetitive odor factors in murine milk: Their fade-out time and differential cryo-preservation. Behav Processes 2019; 167:103913. [DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2019.103913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2018] [Revised: 05/22/2019] [Accepted: 07/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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van Nieuwenburg D, de Groot JHB, Smeets MAM. The Subtle Signaling Strength of Smells: A Masked Odor Enhances Interpersonal Trust. Front Psychol 2019; 10:1890. [PMID: 31481913 PMCID: PMC6710396 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2019] [Accepted: 07/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Most everyday smells, from lavender to body odors, are complex odorant mixtures that “host” particular compounds that guide (social) behavior and motivation (biomarkers). A key element of social behavior is interpersonal trust, and building on previous research showing that (i) lavender odor can enhance trust, and that (ii) certain compounds in body odor can reduce stress in mice and humans (called “social buffering”), we examined whether a grassy-smelling compound found in both body odors and lavender, hexanal, would enhance interpersonal trust. Notably, we applied odor masking to explore whether trust could be influenced subconsciously by masked (i.e., undetectable) hexanal. In Study 1 (between-subjects), 90 females played a Trust Game while they either smelled hexanal (0.01% v/v), clove odor (eugenol: 10% v/v), or hexanal masked by clove odor (a mix of the former). As a sign of higher trust, participants gave more money to a trustee while exposed to masked hexanal (vs. the mask: eugenol). In Study 2 (within-subjects, double-blind), another sample of 35 females smelled the same three odors, while they rated the trustworthiness of a spectrum of faces that varied on trustworthiness. Controlling for subjective odor intensity and pleasantness and substantiating that masked hexanal could not be distinguished from the mask, faces were perceived as more trustworthy during exposure to masked hexanal (vs. the mask: eugenol). Whereas non-masked hexanal also increased face trustworthiness ratings, these effects disappeared after controlling for the odor’s subjective intensity and pleasantness. The combined results bring new evidence that trust can be enhanced implicitly via undetected smells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daan van Nieuwenburg
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Jasper H B de Groot
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.,Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Monique A M Smeets
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
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10
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Loos HM, Reger D, Schaal B. The odour of human milk: Its chemical variability and detection by newborns. Physiol Behav 2019; 199:88-99. [DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2018.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2018] [Revised: 10/29/2018] [Accepted: 11/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Coombes HA, Stockley P, Hurst JL. Female Chemical Signalling Underlying Reproduction in Mammals. J Chem Ecol 2018; 44:851-873. [PMID: 29992368 PMCID: PMC6096499 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-018-0981-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2018] [Revised: 05/31/2018] [Accepted: 06/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Chemical communication plays many key roles in mammalian reproduction, although attention has focused particularly on male scent signalling. Here, we review evidence that female chemical signals also play important roles in sexual attraction, in mediating reproductive competition and cooperation between females, and in maternal care, all central to female reproductive success. Female odours function not only to advertise sexual receptivity and location, they can also have important physiological priming effects on male development and sperm production. However, the extent to which female scents are used to assess the quality of females as potential mates has received little attention. Female investment in scent signalling is strongly influenced by the social structure and breeding system of the species. Although investment is typically male-biased, high competition between females can lead to a reversed pattern of female- biased investment. As among males, scent marking and counter-marking are often used to advertise territory defence and high social rank. Female odours have been implicated in the reproductive suppression of young or subordinate females across a range of social systems, with females of lower competitive ability potentially benefiting by delaying reproduction until conditions are more favourable. Further, the ability to recognise individuals, group members and kin through scent underpins group cohesion and cooperation in many social species, as well as playing an important role in mother-offspring recognition. However, despite the diversity of female scent signals, chemical communication in female mammals remains relatively understudied and poorly understood. We highlight several key areas of future research that are worthy of further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holly A Coombes
- Mammalian Behaviour and Evolution Group, Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Chester High Road, Neston, CH64 7TE, UK.
| | - Paula Stockley
- Mammalian Behaviour and Evolution Group, Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Chester High Road, Neston, CH64 7TE, UK
| | - Jane L Hurst
- Mammalian Behaviour and Evolution Group, Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Chester High Road, Neston, CH64 7TE, UK
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Malidaki M, Laska M. Effects of an odor or taste stimulus applied to an artificial teat on the suckling behavior of newborn dairy calves. JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 2018; 60:16. [PMID: 29946476 PMCID: PMC6006940 DOI: 10.1186/s40781-018-0164-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2017] [Accepted: 03/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Background In their first days of life, dairy calves in artificial rearing systems often have difficulty using an artificial teat for feeding. Methods We examined the age at which calves are able to stand up voluntarily and suckle as well as their suckling behavior when presented with a plain dry teat versus a dry teat modified with a presumably attractive odor or taste substance. Single-housed newborn dairy calves (n = 51) were presented for ten consecutive days with a two-minute two-choice test, in which suckling time was recorded for 1) a plain (control) teat versus a glucose-coated teat (taste test) and 2) a plain teat versus a teat with a "Freshly Cut Grass" odor (odor test). Results On average, the calves were able to stand up voluntarily and suckle from the second or third day of age on. The "Freshly Cut Grass" odor had no significant effect on their suckling behavior. In contrast, the calves showed a significant preference for suckling the glucose-coated teat and displayed a significantly longer total suckling time in the taste test compared to the odor test. There were no significant differences between sexes regarding suckling behavior. Conclusion The results of the present study show that glucose had a significant effect on the calves’ teat preference and significantly increased total suckling time with a dry artificial teat. As such, glucose may increase suckling motivation in non-efficient drinkers or ill calves with low motivation to suckle. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s40781-018-0164-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Malidaki
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University, SE-581 83 Linköping, Sweden
| | - Matthias Laska
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University, SE-581 83 Linköping, Sweden
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13
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Jänig S, Weiß BM, Widdig A. Comparing the sniffing behavior of great apes. Am J Primatol 2018; 80:e22872. [PMID: 29756687 DOI: 10.1002/ajp.22872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2017] [Revised: 01/28/2018] [Accepted: 04/19/2018] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
The importance of smell in humans is well established but we know little about it in regard to our closest relatives, the great apes, as systematic studies on their olfactory behavior are still lacking. Olfaction has long been considered to be of lesser importance in hominids given their relatively smaller olfactory bulbs, fewer functional olfactory receptor genes than other species and absence of a functional vomeronasal organ. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the use of olfaction in hominids. In particular, we observed sniffing behavior in captive groups of four species (Sumatran orangutans, Pongo abelii; Western lowland gorillas, Gorilla gorilla gorilla; Western chimpanzees, Pan troglodytes verus; bonobos, Pan paniscus) and evaluated in which contexts sniffing was used. Our results show that all investigated species frequently used the sense of smell, and that the sniffing frequency varied with species, sex, age, and context. Most sniffing events were observed in gorillas in comparison to the three other species. Sniffing frequencies were also influenced by sex, with males sniffing slightly more often than females. Furthermore, our results revealed an effect of age, with younger individuals sniffing more often than older individuals. All species mainly sniffed in the non-social context (i.e., toward food and other environmental items) rather than in the social context (i.e., at conspecifics), suggesting that the evaluation of the environment and the nutritional value of food items is of major importance to all great ape species investigated here. In contrast to the other species and female chimpanzees, however, male chimpanzees most often used olfaction to inspect their conspecifics. Together, our study suggests that olfaction is likely to be more important in great apes than previously appreciated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susann Jänig
- Behavioural Ecology Research Group, Institute of Biology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.,Jr. Research Group of Primate Kin Selection, Department of Primatology, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Brigitte M Weiß
- Behavioural Ecology Research Group, Institute of Biology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.,Jr. Research Group of Primate Kin Selection, Department of Primatology, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Anja Widdig
- Behavioural Ecology Research Group, Institute of Biology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.,Jr. Research Group of Primate Kin Selection, Department of Primatology, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
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14
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de Groot JHB, Semin GR, Smeets MAM. On the Communicative Function of Body Odors. PERSPECTIVES ON PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE 2017; 12:306-324. [PMID: 28346117 DOI: 10.1177/1745691616676599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Humans use multiple senses to navigate the social world, and the sense of smell is arguably the most underestimated one. An intriguing aspect of the sense of smell is its social communicative function. Research has shown that human odors convey information about a range of states (e.g., emotions, sickness) and traits (e.g., individuality, gender). Yet, what underlies the communicability of these states and traits via smell? We fill this explanatory gap with a framework that highlights the dynamic and flexible aspects of human olfactory communication. In particular, we explain how chemical profiles, associative learning (i.e., the systematic co-occurrence of chemical profiles with state- or trait-related information), and top-down contextual influences could interact to shape human odor perception. Our model not only helps to integrate past research on human olfactory communication but it also opens new avenues for future research on this fascinating, yet to date poorly understood, field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasper H B de Groot
- 1 Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Utrecht University, The Netherlands
| | - Gün R Semin
- 1 Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Utrecht University, The Netherlands.,2 William James Center for Research, Instituto Universitário de Ciências Psicológicas, Sociais e da Vida, Portugal
| | - Monique A M Smeets
- 1 Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Utrecht University, The Netherlands
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Sreng L, Temime-Roussel B, Wortham H, Mourre C. Chemical Identification of "Maternal Signature Odors" in Rat. Chem Senses 2017; 42:211-222. [PMID: 28007788 DOI: 10.1093/chemse/bjw124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Newborn altricial mammals need just after birth to locate their mother's nipples for suckling. In this precocious behavior, including for the human baby, maternal odor via the olfactory process plays a major role. Maternal odor emitted by lactating females or by amniotic fluid (AF) attracts pups, but the chemical identity of this attractant has not yet been elucidated. Here, using behavioral tests and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) techniques, we show that AF extracts from rat pregnant female, nipples, ventral skin, milk, and nest extracts of mother contained 3-6 active substances. AF extracts contained 3 active compounds: ethylbenzene, benzaldehyde, and benzyl alcohol, and their mixture in similar proportions to those found in AF extracts, in a ratio, respectively, of 1:1:12 (700 ng), attracts pups as putative maternal attractant substances (MAS). These 3 AF substances have already been identified in milk, nipples, ventral wash, and nest extracts of mother, but not in feces. Moreover, anethole flavor incorporated in pregnant rat and mother's diet is also detected in AF, nipples, milk, and nest extracts and the pups are attracted to anethole odor, but not in the case of the no-anethole pups. MAS, combined with diet flavors present in the AF bath, represent olfactory signals as "maternal signature odors" (MSO) that are learned by fetus and pups. These findings open the way to improved understanding of the neurobiology of early olfactory learning and of the importance of evolutionarily conserved survival behavior in many mammal species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leam Sreng
- Aix-Marseille Univ, CNRS, IMBE UMR 7263 (Institut Méditerranéen de la Biodiversité et d'Ecologie marine et continentale), IRD, Avignon Université, Faculté Saint Charles, 3, place Victor Hugo, Case 36 F-13331 Marseille cedex 03, France
| | - Brice Temime-Roussel
- Aix-Marseille Univ, CNRS, LCE, Laboratoire de Chimie et Environnement, UMR 7376, Case 29, Faculté Saint Charles, 3, place Victor Hugo, F-13331 Marseille cedex 03, France and
| | - Henri Wortham
- Aix-Marseille Univ, CNRS, LCE, Laboratoire de Chimie et Environnement, UMR 7376, Case 29, Faculté Saint Charles, 3, place Victor Hugo, F-13331 Marseille cedex 03, France and
| | - Christiane Mourre
- Aix-Marseille Univ, CNRS, Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives, UMR 7291, Faculté Saint Charles, 3, place Victor Hugo, Case 36, F-13331 Marseille cedex 03, France
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16
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Cinema audiences reproducibly vary the chemical composition of air during films, by broadcasting scene specific emissions on breath. Sci Rep 2016; 6:25464. [PMID: 27160439 PMCID: PMC4862009 DOI: 10.1038/srep25464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2016] [Accepted: 04/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Human beings continuously emit chemicals into the air by breath and through the skin. In order to determine whether these emissions vary predictably in response to audiovisual stimuli, we have continuously monitored carbon dioxide and over one hundred volatile organic compounds in a cinema. It was found that many airborne chemicals in cinema air varied distinctively and reproducibly with time for a particular film, even in different screenings to different audiences. Application of scene labels and advanced data mining methods revealed that specific film events, namely “suspense” or “comedy” caused audiences to change their emission of specific chemicals. These event-type synchronous, broadcasted human chemosignals open the possibility for objective and non-invasive assessment of a human group response to stimuli by continuous measurement of chemicals in air. Such methods can be applied to research fields such as psychology and biology, and be valuable to industries such as film making and advertising.
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17
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Mammary pheromone-induced odour learning influences sucking behaviour and milk intake in the newborn rabbit. Anim Behav 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2015.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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18
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Wyatt TD. The search for human pheromones: the lost decades and the necessity of returning to first principles. Proc Biol Sci 2015; 282:20142994. [PMID: 25740891 PMCID: PMC4375873 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2014.2994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2014] [Accepted: 02/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
As humans are mammals, it is possible, perhaps even probable, that we have pheromones. However, there is no robust bioassay-led evidence for the widely published claims that four steroid molecules are human pheromones: androstenone, androstenol, androstadienone and estratetraenol. In the absence of sound reasons to test the molecules, positive results in studies need to be treated with scepticism as these are highly likely to be false positives. Common problems include small sample sizes, an overestimate of effect size (as no effect can be expected), positive publication bias and lack of replication. Instead, if we are to find human pheromones, we need to treat ourselves as if we were a newly discovered mammal, and use the rigorous methods already proven successful in pheromone research on other species. Establishing a pheromone relies on demonstration of an odour-mediated behavioural or physiological response, identification and synthesis of the bioactive molecule(s), followed by bioassay confirmation of activity. Likely sources include our sebaceous glands. Comparison of secretions from adult and pre-pubertal humans may highlight potential molecules involved in sexual behaviour. One of the most promising human pheromone leads is a nipple secretion from the areola glands produced by all lactating mothers, which stimulates suckling by any baby not just their own.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tristram D Wyatt
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Tinbergen Building, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PS, UK
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Roberts SA, Davidson AJ, Beynon RJ, Hurst JL. Female attraction to male scent and associative learning: the house mouse as a mammalian model. Anim Behav 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2014.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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