Key points are not available for this paper at this time.
The present review examines recent studies related to the ability of Homo sapiens to communicate basic conspecific biologic information via body odors. In addition to evaluating reports that humans can detect individuality, gender, and reproductive state from olfactory cues, studies claiming that odors are involved in producing menstrual synchrony and other phenomena are also critically examined. Although both anatomic and behavioral studies support the notion that humans have the ability to communicate biologic information via odors, additional studies are needed to establish the role of odors in influencing basic human behaviors. Appropriate controls using several types of odors and double-blind procedures are sorely needed before a number of findings in this field can be adequately interpreted.
Richard L. Doty (Thu,) studied this question.