OLFACTORY INFORMATION-PROCESSING DURING THE COURSE OF THE MENSTRUAL-CYCLE

In the present study we examined whether olfactory information process ing depends on the phase of the menstrual cycle. Five female subjects were investigated during: three phases (follicular, ovulatory, luteal) of their menstrual cycle. In each session chemosensory (olfactory) ev ent-related potentials (CSERP) were recorded and olfactory thresholds and the hedonic lone of the test stimulus (citral) were determined. Th reshold values were correlated with the salivary cortisol level. The r esults show that olfactory perception changes during the menstrual cyc le. After the first stimulus presentations in a recording session, odo rs were perceived as more complex or novel during the ovulatory period (enhanced amplitude of P3-1). With continued stimulation, odor proces sing became faster (reduced latency of N1, P2 and P3-2) around ovulati on and slower during the follicular phase, Moreover, odors were descri bed more differentially during the ovulatory period. Olfactory sensiti vity was correlated positively with the peripheral cortisol level.