Immunological and behavioral effects of fragrance in mice

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of olfactory stimulation on immunological and behavioral states in mice. Anti-SRBC (IgM) plaque forming cell (PFC) count and spontaneous running activity (SRA) were measured to demonstrate the effects of exposure to a given fragrance. The decreased PFC count and thymic involution induced by high pressure stress in mice were recovered after exposing the stressed mice to the fragrance continuously for 4 days after the stress was given. The PFC and SRA also appeared to be maintained at normal levels by oflactory stimulation with the fragrance for 24 hrs after the given stress. The immunological suppression induced by high pressure stress was considered to be caused by the induction and activation of suppressor cells. However, exposure to the fragrance after the stress did not enhance suppressor activity. The restoration of the stress-induced immune suppression by olfactory stimulation was blocked by procain administration onto the olfactory cells.