Responsiveness of human neonates to the odor of 5alpha-androst-16-en-3-one: A behavorial paradox?

Loos H, Doucet S, Soussignan R, Hartmann C, Durand K, Dittrich R, Sagot P, Büttner A, Schaal B (2014)


Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2014

Journal

Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP): Policy B - Oxford Open Option B

Book Volume: 39

Pages Range: 603-703

Journal Issue: 8

DOI: 10.1093/chemse/bju041

Abstract

The odorous steroid 5α-androst-16-en-3-one (AND) occurs in numerous biological fluids in mammals, including man, where it is believed to play a chemocommunicative role. As AND was recently detected in milk and amniotic fluid, sensitivity and hedonic responses to this substance were assessed in human neonates. To this aim, respiration and facial expressions were recorded in 3-day-old newborns in response to aqueous solutions of AND, ranging from 500ng/mL to 0.5 fg/mL. Although analyses of respiratory rate did not lead to clear-cut results, the newborns changed their facial expressions at concentrations not detected by adults in a triangle test. Newborns displayed negative facial actions of longer duration to AND relative to an odorless control. Thus, AND may be considered to be offensive to newborns, which is a counterintuitive outcome as they are exposed to this compound in the womb (and it should therefore be familiar), in milk, and on the mother’s skin surface (and it should therefore be conditioned as positive). Multiple reasons for this perceptual-behavioral paradox are discussed.

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APA:

Loos, H., Doucet, S., Soussignan, R., Hartmann, C., Durand, K., Dittrich, R.,... Schaal, B. (2014). Responsiveness of human neonates to the odor of 5alpha-androst-16-en-3-one: A behavorial paradox? Chemical Senses, 39(8), 603-703. https://dx.doi.org/10.1093/chemse/bju041

MLA:

Loos, Helene, et al. "Responsiveness of human neonates to the odor of 5alpha-androst-16-en-3-one: A behavorial paradox?" Chemical Senses 39.8 (2014): 603-703.

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