The intensity of human body odors and the MHC: should we expect a link?

Details

Ressource 1Download: BIB_1D9567632305.P001.pdf (258.14 [Ko])
State: Public
Version: author
Serval ID
serval:BIB_1D9567632305
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
The intensity of human body odors and the MHC: should we expect a link?
Journal
Evolutionary Psychology
Author(s)
Wedekind C., Seebeck T., Bettens F., Paepke A. J.
ISSN
1474-7049
Publication state
Published
Issued date
2006
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
4
Pages
85-94
Language
english
Abstract
It is now well established that genes within the major histocompatibility
complex (MHC) somehow affect the production of body odors in several vertebrates,
including humans. Here we discuss whether variation in the intensity of body odors
may be influenced by the MHC. In order to examine this question, we have to control
for MHC-linked odor perception on the smeller's side. Such a control is necessary
because the perception of pleasantness and intensity seem to be confounded, and the
causalities are still unsolved. It has previously been found that intense odors are
scored as less pleasant if the signaler and the receiver are of MHC-dissimilar type, but
not if they are of MHC similar type. We argue, and first data suggest, that an effect of
the degree of MHC-heterozygosity and odor intensity is likely (MHC-homozygotes
may normally smell more intense), while there is currently no strong argument for
other possible links between the MHC and body odor intensity.
Keywords
Odor intensity, MHC homo- and heterozygosity, 'good genes' hypothesis, 'compatible genes' hypothesis, T-shirt experiment
Create date
25/01/2008 10:43
Last modification date
20/08/2019 12:53
Usage data