Why the olfactory acuity to Exaltolide test is different in women?

Background: Sporadic studies have revealed that sensitivity to Exaltolide depends on the estrogen blood levels in women.

Aim: comparing the sensitivity to Exaltolide to levels of estrogen in women.

Method: A total of 60 women were prospectively tested for both sensitivity to Exaltolide and blood estradiol during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopause.

Results: The average score of sensitivity to Exaltolide was 1.2 during menstruation, 4.8 during proliferative phase, 5.8 at ovulation and 2.4 during the luteal phase. In pregnant women, it was 3.6 during the first trimester, 4.7 during the second and 6 during the third trimester. In post-menopausal women, the average score was 0.3. The average estradiol blood level in pg/ml was 42 during menstruation, 207 during proliferative phase, 368 at ovulation and 147 during the luteal phase. In pregnant women, it was 2506 during the first trimester, 5913 during the second and 9968 during the third trimester. The average estradiol blood level during menopause was 14 pg/ml. The higher the levels of estrogen, the higher sensitivity to Exaltolide. Our results were similar to the findings of previous authors.

Conclusion: In addition to its common use in perfumery, the odor of Exaltolide could be used as a clinical test of estrogen.