The influence of sex steroids on the sense of smell

What is it about?

Sex steroids affect the state of body and mind during menstrual cycles and pregnancy. We demonstrate that sex steroids progesterone and estradiol can rapidly change the sense of smell via special membrane receptors. This new mechanism could form the basis for previously observed olfactory performance changes with cyclically fluctuating steroid levels in females.

Featured Image

Why is it important?

The function of membrane progesterone receptors and estradiol receptors is mostly elusive. This study provides new knowledge about these relatively new discovered receptors. Furthermore the mechanism which directly influences olfactory perception could explain changes of olfactory performance during pregnancy and menstrual cycle in females. For that reason, the results of this study could directly influence how 50% of the readership receive odor information from their environment.