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The human vomeronasal system

L Monti-Bloch¹, C Jennings-White, D S Dolberg

¹Pherin Corporation, Menlo Park, California.

Psychoneuroendocrinology

|January 1, 1994

Summary

The human vomeronasal organ (VNO) is functional and detects specific chemicals called vomeropherins, showing sex-specific responses and influencing autonomic activity.

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Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Chemosensation
Human Physiology

Background:

The vomeronasal system, responsible for detecting pheromones, is present in many mammals but its function in humans is debated.
Previous research suggests a potential role for the vomeronasal organ (VNO) in human chemosensation, but its specific capabilities remain unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the functional characteristics of the human vomeronasal system in adult subjects.
To determine the specificity of the VNO compared to the olfactory epithelium (OE) for certain chemosensory substances.
To explore the potential influence of VNO stimulation on autonomic and cortical activity.

Main Methods:

Electrophysiological recordings from the VNO and OE in response to controlled administration of chemosensory substances (vomeropherins and odorants).
Assessment of autonomic responses (electrodermal activity, skin temperature) and electroencephalographic (EEG) patterns (alpha-cortical activity).
Comparison of responses between male and female subjects to identify sexual dimorphism.

Main Results:

The human VNO responded to specific substances (vomeropherins) with receptor potentials, distinct from responses in the OE.
VNO responses to vomeropherins exhibited significant sexual dimorphism, with different substances recognized by males and females.
VNO stimulation with specific vomeropherins modulated electrodermal activity, skin temperature, and alpha-cortical activity in a sex-dependent manner.

Conclusions:

The adult human VNO is a functional chemosensory organ with a distinct role separate from the OE.
The VNO possesses a sexually dimorphic specificity for certain chemosensory substances.
VNO activation can transduce signals that modulate autonomic parameters and brain activity.

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