Abstract
Sensitivity to the odor of 5-androst-16-en-3-one (androstenone), a testosterone metabolite, shows wide variations among unrelated individuals. Analysis of correlations in sensitivity between monozygotic twin pairs, dizygotic twin pairs, and nontwin sib pairs now shows that at least a portion of this variation is genetically determined. However, although data from some mouse studies have suggested a relationship between olfaction and the murine histocompatibility system (H-2), we were unable to demonstrate any role of the human HLA system in explaining the wide individual variations in human sensitivity to androstenone. An additional analysis of HLA antigens among 61 human mating pairs also provided no evidence that HLA phenotypes play a role in human mating preference. These data fail to support a role for the human HLA system in the recognition of an odorant of potential biological significance.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Amoore, J. E., Pelosi, P., and Forrester, C. J.: Specific anosmias to 5α-androst-16-en-3-one and -pentadecalactone: The urinous and musky primary odors. Chemical Senses and Flavor 2: 401, 1977
Andrews, P. W. and Boyse, E. A.: Mapping of an H-2-linked gene that influences mating preference in mice. Immunogenetics 6: 265–268, 1978
Gerencer, M., Kastelan, A., Drazancie, A., Kerhin-Brkljacic, V., and Madjaric, M.: The HLA antigens in women with recurrent abnormal pregnancies of unknown etiology. Tissue Antigens 12: 223–227, 1978
Griffiths, N. M. and Patterson, R. L. S.: Human olfactory responses to 5α-androst-16-en-3-one -principal component of boar taint. J. Sci. Food Agric. 21: 4–6, 1970
Hansen, J. A., Good, R. A., and Dupont, B.: HLA-D compatibility between parent and child: Increased occurrence in severe combined immunodeficiency and other hematopoietic diseases. Transplantation 23: 366–374, 1977
Hertz, J., Cain, W. S., Bartoshuk, L. M., and Dolan, T. F., Jr.: Olfactory and taste sensitivity in children with cystic fibrosis. Physiol. Behav. 14: 89–84, 1975
Hester, J. P., Rossen, R. D., Templeton, J. N., McCrediek, B., and Freireich, E. J.: Histocompatibility antigens in adult acute leukemia. Prog. Clin. Biol. Res. 16: 71–79, 1977
Komlos, L., Zamir, R., Joshua, H., and Halbrecht, L.: Common HLA antigens in couples with repeated abortions. Clin. Immunol. Immunopathol. 7: 330–335, 1977
Lygonis, C. S.: Familial absence of olfaction. Hereditas 61: 413–415, 1969
Mainland, R. C.: Absence of olfactory sensation. J. Hered. 36: 143–144, 1945
Maynard-Smith, S., Penrose, L. S., and Smith, C. A. B.: Mathematical Tables for Research Workers in Human Genetics. London, Churchill, pp.47–71, 1961
Morton, N. E.: Sequential tests for the detection of linkage. Am. J. Hum. Genet. 7: 277–299, 1955
O'Reilly, R. J., Pollack, M. S., Auerbach, A., Kapoor, N., Kirkpatrick, D., Chaganti, R. S. K., and Dupont, B.: HLA histocompatibility between parent and affected child in Fanconi's Anemia. Pediatric Res. (in press) 1982
Patterson, P. M. and Lauder, B. A.: The incidence and probable inheritance of “smell blindness” to normal butyl mercaptan. J. Hered. 39: 295–297, 1948
Schachter, B., Gyves, M., Muir, A., and Tasin, M.: HLA-A, B compatibility in parents of offspring with neural-tube defects or couples experiencing involuntary fetal wastage. Lancet 1: 796–799, 1979
Taylor, C. and Faulk, W. P.: Prevention of recurrent abortion with leucocyte transfusions. Lancet 2: 69, 1981
von Fliedner, V. E., Sultan Khan, Z., and Jeannet, M.: HLA-DRw antigens associated with acute leukemia. Tissue Antigens 16: 399–404, 1980
Werner-Favre, Ch. and Jeannet, M.: HLA compatibility in couples with children suffering from acute leukemia or aplastic anemia. Tissue Antigens 13: 307–309, 1979
Whissel-Buechy, D. and Amoore, J. E.: Odor-blindness to musk: Simple recessive inheritance. Nature 242: 271–273, 1973
Wysocki, C. J., Whitney, G. and Tucker, D.: Specific anosmia in the laboratory mouse. Behav. Genet. 7: 171–188, 1977
Yamaguchi, M., Yamazaki, K., and Boyse, E. A.: Mating preference tests with the recombinant congenic strain BALB.HTC. Immunogenetics 6: 261–264, 1978
Yamazaki, K., Yamaguchi, M., Andrews, P. W., Peake, B., and Boyse, E. A.: Mating preference of F2 segregants of crosses between MHC-congenic mouse strains. Immunogenetics 6: 253–259, 1978
Yarborough, C.: Genetic compatibility may explain recurrent spontaneous abortions. J. Am. Med. Assoc. 246: 315–316, 1981
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Pollack, M.S., Wysocki, C.J., Beauchamp, G.K. et al. Absence of HLA association or linkage for variations in sensitivity to the odor of androstenone. Immunogenetics 15, 579–589 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00347052
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00347052