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Updated: Jun 3, 2026
11:26
Imaging Neuronal Responses in Slice Preparations of Vomeronasal Organ Expressing a Genetically Encoded Calcium Sensor
Published on: December 6, 2011
Vomeronasal organ and human pheromones
1CNRS, INRA, FRE 3295, Neurobiologie Sensorielle, domaine de Vilvert, bâtiment 325, 78350 Jouy-en-Josas, France. didier.trotier@jouy.inra.fr
Summary
Humans lack a functional vomeronasal organ, the primary structure for detecting pheromones in many animals. Despite this, some steroids may act as human pheromones, though their signaling pathways remain unclear.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Reproductive Biology
- Human Anatomy
Background:
- Pheromonal communication is crucial for reproduction in many species.
- The vomeronasal organ (Jacobson's organ) detects pheromones in tetrapods, influencing behavior and neuroendocrine responses.
- In human embryos, this organ is involved in GnRH-secreting cell migration but regresses later.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the functional status of the vomeronasal organ and pheromonal signaling in humans.
- To clarify the role of putative human pheromones and their mechanisms of action.
Main Methods:
- Review of human embryonic development and adult anatomy related to the vomeronasal organ.
- Examination of genetic mutations in human vomeronasal receptors and associated neural pathways.
- Analysis of studies on steroid effects on the human hypothalamus.
Main Results:
- The human vomeronasal organ lacks sensory neurons and functional vomeronasal receptors in adults.
- Key genetic components and neural structures for vomeronasal function are absent or nonfunctional in humans.
- While some steroids affect the human hypothalamus, their effects differ from those in other mammals and lack clear signaling pathways.
Conclusions:
- The vomeronasal sensory function is nonoperational in adult humans.
- The mechanisms by which putative human pheromones exert their effects require further elucidation.
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