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Published on: April 23, 2019
Human axillary odor: are there side-related perceptual differences?
Camille Ferdenzi1, Benoist Schaal, S Craig Roberts
1School of Biological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Crown Street, Liverpool L69 7ZB, UK. cferdenzi@hotmail.com
Chemical Senses
|June 27, 2009
Summary
Human axillary odor perception can differ based on arm dominance, particularly in left-handed men. This effect was noted by fertile women not using hormonal contraception, suggesting cycle-dependent sensitivity to social odors.
Area of Science:
- Human olfaction and social signaling
- Human chemical communication
- Psychophysics of body odor perception
Background:
- Studies on human social odors from axillary sweat often overlook potential differences between left and right axillae.
- Lateralization (arm dominance) may lead to distinct odor profiles from each axilla.
- Understanding axillary odor perception is crucial for human chemical communication research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if axillary odor samples from right- and left-handed men are perceived differently by female raters.
- To explore the influence of arm dominance on the perceived qualities of axillary body odor.
- To examine potential modulatory effects of the female menstrual cycle on odor perception.
Main Methods:
- Collection of axillary sweat odor samples from 38 males (right- and left-handed) using cotton pads worn for 24 hours.
- Evaluation of odor samples by 49 females for attractiveness, intensity, and masculinity, treating left and right samples as independent stimuli.
- Analysis of perception differences based on handedness and female participant characteristics (hormonal contraception use, menstrual cycle phase).
Main Results:
- A significant side-related difference in odor perception was found exclusively in left-handed men: left axillary odor was rated as more masculine and intense than right axillary odor.
- This effect was observed only in female raters who were not using hormone-based contraception and were estimated to be in their fertile cycle phase.
- No significant side-related differences were found in the perception of odors from right-handed men.
Conclusions:
- Axillary odor samples from left and right sides can be considered perceptually equivalent for general population studies, given the low prevalence of left-handedness and fertile, non-hormonal contraceptive-using women.
- The study highlights variations in female sensitivity to biologically relevant stimuli, particularly across the menstrual cycle.
- Findings provide novel insights into the influence of lateralization on human social odor production and perception.
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