An observational study in Healthy, sponsored by Rockefeller University. Completed at 1 site in United States. Open to female participants aged 18 Years to 35 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2012-02-20.
Sponsored by Rockefeller University · Observational
The reason for doing this research is to understand why different people show different responses when they smell an odor called androstadienone. Androstadienone is a chemical found in male sweat. Other studies have shown that smelling this chemical can cause people to experience sweating, changes in skin temperature, and changes in a stress hormone call cortisol. These responses, which are called "physiological effects," are stronger in some people than in others.
We are interested in finding out whether these individual differences are genetic, that is caused by differences in our genes. Humans have about 1000 genes for odorant receptors. These are the molecules that bind and detect odor molecules in our nose and allow us to respond to so many different odors. It has been shown that some of these genes exist in two forms: a functional one and one that has been mutated and is therefore no longer functional.
We think that people who do not respond to a specific odor may carry the non-functional form of the gene for the receptor that detects the odor molecule. To test this idea we want to find people who respond strongly to a specific smell, and compare their odorant receptor genes with those of people who respond weakly to the odor.
The study consists of five visits. The first visit is a screening visit at which the eligibility of the subject is determined and a blood sample is taken. At this visit, the subject is also given ovulation test strips and instructions to perform urine-based ovulation self-tests at home for a period of several days following the onset of menstruation. The subject is instructed to test her urine at home until an LH surge is detected.
When the subject ovulates and is available for a visit she will come to the Rockefeller University Hospital within one day of detecting an LH surge for the first of four Test Sessions.
The four Test Sessions are identical with the exception that the subject is exposed to a different odor stimulus.
We will be measuring:
Rockefeller University is the lead sponsor of 120 studies on the registry; 3 are open to participants now.
Of its 14 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 6 (43%) have results posted.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
Healthy adult women between 18-35 years of age.
Exclusion Criteria:
Skin temperature, skin conductance and salivary cortisol level.
Time frame: Monthly over approximately a 5 month period/volunteer
The ability to detect odor.
Time frame: Monthly over a 5 month period.
This study is completed, as verified in Feb 2012. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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Rockefeller University