Induction of olfactory sensitivity by odor exposure in subjects with specific anosmia

Insensitivity to single odors, called specific anosmia, has been repeatedly reported in the literature. The main question of the present study was whe ther olfactory sensitivity is inducable in subjects with specific anosmia. For this reason the olfactory sensitivity of women with specific anosmia to the volatile steroid androstenone was investigated by threshold measuremen ts at two times, before and after repeated odor exposure. Androstenone is a compound that contributes to human body odor and is found at a higher conc entration in male axillary sweat than in female swear. The results show tha t in more than 80% of the odor exposed anosmics olfactory perception of and rostenone could be induced.