| Title: | 'Nosing Around' the human skin: what information is concealed in skin odour? |
| Author(s): | Kippenberger S; Havlicek J; Bernd A; Thaci D; Kaufmann R; Meissner M; |
| Address: | "Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergy, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Frankfurt/Main, Germany" |
| DOI: | 10.1111/j.1600-0625.2012.01545.x |
| ISSN/ISBN: | 1600-0625 (Electronic) 0906-6705 (Linking) |
| Abstract: | "In today's world, natural body odour is mostly considered as being unpleasant and combated by intensive cleansing, deodorants and perfumes. However, there is evidence that volatile body compounds provide the recipient with important information. Here, we present the chemical identity of odorous compounds derived from odourless precursors within sweat and sebum. Moreover, distinct volatile markers may be relevant for the clinical diagnosis of disease. Interestingly, ageing seems to correlate with the appearance of specific compounds that convey the so-called old man smell. Finally, it is discussed if human skin odour has the quality to act as pheromone transmitting information between individuals in terms of major histocompatibility complex type or reproductive status" |
| Keywords: | "Animals Biomarkers/metabolism Humans Infections/metabolism Mating Preference, Animal Metabolic Diseases/metabolism *Odorants Pheromones, Human/*metabolism Sexuality Skin/*metabolism Skin Aging;" |
| Notes: | "MedlineKippenberger, Stefan Havlicek, Jan Bernd, August Thaci, Diamant Kaufmann, Roland Meissner, Markus eng R01 AR052713/AR/NIAMS NIH HHS/ Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural Review Denmark 2012/06/30 Exp Dermatol. 2012 Sep; 21(9):655-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0625.2012.01545.x. Epub 2012 Jun 29" |
