Why the olfactory acuity to Exaltolide test is different in women?

Abstract

Background

Sporadic studies have revealed that sensitivity to Exaltolide depends on the estrogen blood levels in women.

Aim

comparing the sensitivity to Exaltolide to levels of estrogen in women.

Method

A total of 60 women were prospectively tested for both sensitivity to Exaltolide and blood estradiol during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopause.

Results

The average score of sensitivity to Exaltolide was 1.2 during menstruation, 4.8 during proliferative phase, 5.8 at ovulation and 2.4 during the luteal phase. In pregnant women, it was 3.6 during the first trimester, 4.7 during the second and 6 during the third trimester. In post-menopausal women, the average score was 0.3. The average estradiol blood level in pg/ml was 42 during menstruation, 207 during proliferative phase, 368 at ovulation and 147 during the luteal phase. In pregnant women, it was 2506 during the first trimester, 5913 during the second and 9968 during the third trimester. The average estradiol blood level during menopause was 14 pg/ml. The higher the levels of estrogen, the higher sensitivity to Exaltolide. Our results were similar to the findings of previous authors.

Conclusion

In addition to its common use in perfumery, the odor of Exaltolide could be used as a clinical test of estrogen.

Chinese abstract

背景：零星研究表明, 对 Exaltolide香精 的敏感性取决于女性的雌激素血液水平。

目的：比较女性对 Exaltolide 的敏感性与她们的雌激素水平。

方法：总共有 60 名女性接受了在月经周期、怀孕和更年期期间对 Exaltolide的敏感性 和血液雌二醇的测试。

结果：对 Exaltolide 敏感性的平均评分为月经期 1.2、增殖期 4.8、排卵期 5.8 和黄体期 2.4。对于孕妇, 对 Exaltolide 敏感性的平均评分为孕早期 3.6、孕中期 4.7、孕晚期 6。在绝经后的女性中, 平均评分是 0.3。以 pg/ml 为单位的平均雌二醇血液水平为月经期42、增殖期 207 、排卵期 368 、黄体期 147 ；在孕妇中, 前三个月为 2506, 中间三个月为 5913 , 最后三个月为 9968 。更年期的平均雌二醇血液水平为 14 pg/ml。雌激素水平越高, 对 Exaltolide 的敏感性越高。我们的结果与以往的发现相似。

结论：Exaltolide 的气味除了在香水中普遍使用外, 还可以作为雌激素的临床测试。

Keywords:

• Olfaction test
• Exaltolide
• estrogen
• smell

Acknowledgment

Thanks to Mr. Ramón Monegal for preparing the solutions of Exaltolide and giving advices on perfumery concepts.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Author contributions

Clarós P and Mbonimpaye R wrote the article; Lopez A reviewed the article and Clarós A checked and selected the bibliography. All authors listed have also made substantial, direct and intellectual contribution to the work, and approved it for publication.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Mr. Salvador Ramón and Clarós Foundation.