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

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).

Related Experiment Videos

  • 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.