Individual differences and the chemical senses

Abstract

In many species, body scent can convey much information between individuals. Information on individual identity, prominent in mouse body odors and particularly dependent on MHC genes, has been strongly implicated in mate choice, familial care and neuroendocrine balance. Information on health status, also definitively demonstrated in mice, may play an important role in social behavior although studies to verify this need to be conducted. Further studies in humans of both individual olfactory identity and odors associated with disease may lead to various practical outcomes and could provide important justification for increased study of odor, olfaction and olfactory communication. © Oxford University Press 2005; all rights reserved.