jvkohl
07-31-2006, 10:37 PM
Here is more evidence against the likelihood of a functional human VNO.
Liberles SD, Buck LB. A second class of chemosensory receptors in the olfactory epithelium. http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/vaop/ncurrent/pdf/nature05066.pdf
Key Finding: Genes that code for receptors, called 'trace amine-associated receptors' are present in human, mouse and fish. These receptors, like other odor receptors are expressed in unique subsets of neurons dispersed in the olfactory epithelium. In mice there are at least three of these receptors. One receptor recognizes volatile amines found in urine. Another one detects a stress-related compound, and two others detect compounds that are found in different concentrations in male versus female urine. One of these compounds is reported to be a pheromone. Collectively, these findings indicate that chemical signals that are likely to function as pheromones are processed by the main olfactory system of mammals, rather than by the accessory olfactory system, which includes the vomeronasal organ.
JVK
Discussion on this topic can be found by clicking here. (http://www.pherolibrary.com/forum/showthread.php?t=16317)
Liberles SD, Buck LB. A second class of chemosensory receptors in the olfactory epithelium. http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/vaop/ncurrent/pdf/nature05066.pdf
Key Finding: Genes that code for receptors, called 'trace amine-associated receptors' are present in human, mouse and fish. These receptors, like other odor receptors are expressed in unique subsets of neurons dispersed in the olfactory epithelium. In mice there are at least three of these receptors. One receptor recognizes volatile amines found in urine. Another one detects a stress-related compound, and two others detect compounds that are found in different concentrations in male versus female urine. One of these compounds is reported to be a pheromone. Collectively, these findings indicate that chemical signals that are likely to function as pheromones are processed by the main olfactory system of mammals, rather than by the accessory olfactory system, which includes the vomeronasal organ.
JVK
Discussion on this topic can be found by clicking here. (http://www.pherolibrary.com/forum/showthread.php?t=16317)