ISSN:
1573-1561
Keywords:
odor thresholds
;
primary odor
;
1-pyrroline
;
Schiff's base
;
semen
;
specific anosmia
;
“spermous” odor
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Chemistry and Pharmacology
Notes:
Abstract About 20% of human subjects are specifically anosmic to the odor of the heterocyclic Schiff's base 1-pyrroline. Odor threshold measurements on 33 nitrogenous bases were made with panels of specific anosmics and normal observers. The anosmia proved to be very selective, and was encountered only with 1-pyrroline and its homolog 1-piperideine. The odor of 1-pyrroline resembles very closely that of human semen, and possibly represents a vestigial pheromone. It is suggested that this specific anosmia corresponds with the absence of a new olfactory primary, the “spermous” odor. The same odor occurs as an impurity in several organic reagents and can be detected in a variety of biological materials.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00988831
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