Gustatory and olfactory function in the first trimester of pregnancy.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate gustatory and olfactory sensitivity in the first trimester of pregnancy using validated test kits.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
Department of Obstetrics, University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland.


METHODS
Total 53 pregnant women and 59 controls in a known phase of the menstrual cycle.


METHODS
Gustatory sensitivity was assessed by requiring subjects to discriminate between four basic-taste tablets ('sweet', 'salty', 'sour', and 'bitter'). Olfactory testing was performed using the 'Sniffin' sticks' kit. Subjects rated the intensity and hedonic tone of the four tastants and of 10 common odors.


RESULTS
Pregnant women had significantly lower overall gustatory sensitivity scores. There were no differences in olfactory sensitivity. However, pregnant women rated the odors 'rum', 'cigarette' and 'coffee' as more aversive than did non-pregnant women.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data do not support the hypothesis of a generalized increase in chemosensitivity in early pregnancy. In terms of adaptive changes of the olfactory system may act as a sentinel to potentially harmful chemicals. In contrast, the gustatory system appears to retreat to allow a greater intake of electrolytes and a more widely sourced diet.
Kölble
N
N
Unit of Perinatal Physiology, Department of Obstetrics, University Hospital, Frauenklinikstr. 10, CH-8091, Zurich, Switzerland. nicole.koelble@fhk.usz.ch
Hummel
T
T
von Mering
R
R
Huch
A
A
Huch
R
R
D000328:Adult; D003069:Coffee; D004032:Diet; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000431:Ethanol; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000502:physiology*; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012903:Smell / Q000502:physiology*; D013649:Taste / Q000502:physiology*; D014026:Nicotiana
D003069:Coffee; D004573:Electrolytes; D000431:Ethanol