title: Genetic Admixture and Flavor Preferences: Androstenone Sensitivity in Malagasy Populations.
abstract: The genetic basis of androstenone anosmia has been well studied due to androstenone's putative role as a human sex pheromone and its presence in pork meat. Polymorphisms have been identified on the olfactory receptor gene OR7D4, which significantly affect perception of androstenone pleasantness and intensity in several Western populations. This study aims to investigate androstenone sensitivity and the influence of OR7D4 polymorphisms in non-Western populations. Androstenone perception was tested in 132 individuals from Madagascar using a double three-alternative choice test with two concentrations of androstenone (0.17 and 1.7 µg/ml). We found that Malagasy populations described this molecule in a similar way to European populations, and 21% of the sample was not able to smell androstenone. In contrast to previous studies, there was no significant evidence of the influence of rs61729907: C>T (R88W) and rs5020278: C>T polymorphisms (T133M) on androstenone sensitivity in Malagasy populations. We found, however, a significant effect of the polymorphism rs61732668 (P79L) and a significant difference in androstenone perception between populations in different locations across Madagascar. This study indicates the existence of population-specific factors in androstenone sensitivity, suggesting that population history has a role in shaping an individual's smell and flavor preferences and food preferences in general.
authors.affiliation: 1 Université de Toulouse, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Laboratoire d'Anthropologie Moléculaire et Imagerie de Synthèse, Unité Mixte de Recherche 5288, 31073 Toulouse, France.
authors.forename: Harilanto
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Razafindrazaka
authors.affiliation: 1 Université de Toulouse, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Laboratoire d'Anthropologie Moléculaire et Imagerie de Synthèse, Unité Mixte de Recherche 5288, 31073 Toulouse, France.
authors.forename: Aurore
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Monnereau
authors.affiliation: 1 Université de Toulouse, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Laboratoire d'Anthropologie Moléculaire et Imagerie de Synthèse, Unité Mixte de Recherche 5288, 31073 Toulouse, France.
authors.forename: Dina
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Razafindrazaka
authors.affiliation: 1 Université de Toulouse, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Laboratoire d'Anthropologie Moléculaire et Imagerie de Synthèse, Unité Mixte de Recherche 5288, 31073 Toulouse, France.
authors.forename: Laure
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tonasso
authors.affiliation: 1 Université de Toulouse, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Laboratoire d'Anthropologie Moléculaire et Imagerie de Synthèse, Unité Mixte de Recherche 5288, 31073 Toulouse, France.
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schiavinato
authors.affiliation: 2 Institut de Civilisations/Musée d'Art et d'Archéologie, Isoraka, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar.
authors.forename: Jean-Aimé
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Rakotoarisoa
authors.affiliation: 2 Institut de Civilisations/Musée d'Art et d'Archéologie, Isoraka, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar.
authors.forename: Chantal
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Radimilahy
authors.affiliation: 1 Université de Toulouse, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Laboratoire d'Anthropologie Moléculaire et Imagerie de Synthèse, Unité Mixte de Recherche 5288, 31073 Toulouse, France.
authors.forename: Thierry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Letellier
authors.affiliation: 1 Université de Toulouse, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Laboratoire d'Anthropologie Moléculaire et Imagerie de Synthèse, Unité Mixte de Recherche 5288, 31073 Toulouse, France.
authors.forename: Denis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pierron
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000731:Androstanes; D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D008270:Madagascar; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009812:Odorants / Q000032:analysis*; D000857:Olfaction Disorders / Q000235:genetics; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012903:Smell / Q000235:genetics*; D013552:Swine; D013652:Taste Threshold / Q000235:genetics*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000731:Androstanes
keywords: ANDROSTENONE; ANOSMIA; MADAGASCAR; OR7D4