Identification of odor active substances in human amniotic fluid

Abstract : Objectives. Physiological evidence indicates that olfaction could. already function in the human fetus [1]. Right after birth the odor. of amniotic fluid (AF) is detectable to newborns and seems to. attract [2] and calm them [3]. Such early attraction may derive. from fetal learning/memory, and may help newborns adapt to the. postnatal environment. The chemosensory basis of AF. attractiveness has not been investigated yet, and this study aimed. to characterize odor active compounds therein. Methods. The. flavor profile of AF was monitored by descriptive sensory. evaluation using an adult panel, while the identification of the. predominant odor substances was carried out by senso-analytical techniques like gas chromatography-olfactometry and. comparative dilution assays. Results. The prevailing AF odor. impressions were described as blood- and raw meat-like. Several. odor active substances were identified, amongst them some. carbonyl compounds, as well as androstenone. Conclusions. Human AF contains a wide range of odorous substances, such as. odor active steroids or ketones. These substances could have the. potential ability to promote attention and hush the newborn, for. example during noxious medical examination. References. [1]. Schaal et al. 2004. Clin Perinatol 31:261-81 [2] Schaal et al. 1995. Biol Neonate 67, 397-406. [3] Varendi et al 1998. Early Hum Dev. 51:47-55. Acknowledgements: Financed by the German Federal. Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and the Bavarian. Research Foundation.