Comparable responses to a wide range of olfactory stimulation in women and men

• Published in: Scientific reports Vol. 13; no. 1; p. 9059
• Main Authors: Lillqvist, Moa, Claeson, Anna-Sara, Zakrzewska, Marta, Andersson, Linus
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 03.06.2023; Nature Publishing Group; Nature Portfolio
• Subjects: 631/477; 631/477/2811; Autonomic nervous system; Bayesian analysis; Cognitive ability; Gender differences; Heart rate; Humanities and Social Sciences; Intolerance; Medicin och hälsovetenskap; Memory; multidisciplinary; Nervous system; Odor; Odors; Pregnancy; Science; Science (multidisciplinary); Senses; Sex roles; Women
• ISSN: 2045-2322; 2045-2322
• DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-35936-5

The evidence for differences between women and men in terms of olfactory abilities is contradictory. We analyzed women and men’s performance and reactions to a wider range of odour exposure outcomes than usually studied, to assess possible differences and similarities between sexes. Measures of sensitivity and sensory decision rule were established in 37 women and 39 men. Perceptual, cognitive, symptom-related and autonomic nervous system (skin conductance level and heart-rate variability) reactions were also assessed during extended ambient odour exposure, as well as participants’ self-rated chemical intolerance. Bayesian analyses consistently revealed greater support for sex-related similarities than differences, suggesting that women and men perform and react comparably not only in terms of basic olfactory measures, but also to environmental odour exposure mimicking everyday situations.