Pregnancy pee smell
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Summary
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These studies suggest that pregnancy can alter the smell of urine due to the presence of fetal odortypes and changes in olfaction.
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Pregnancy and Changes in Urine Odor
Odortypes in Pregnancy Urine
Odortypes and Genetic Polymorphism
Odortypes are unique body odors that distinguish individuals based on genetic differences, particularly at the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) and other loci. These odortypes play a significant role in social interactions and reproductive behaviors in animals, including familial imprinting and mate choice.
Fetal Influence on Maternal Odor
During pregnancy, a mother's urine can acquire odortypes from the fetus, which are of paternal origin. This phenomenon has been observed in mice and suggests a similar process in humans. Research using trained rats to distinguish urine samples from women before and after birth indicates that the fetal odortypes are indeed present in the mother's urine. This implies that the maternal urine odor during pregnancy is a combination of both maternal and fetal odortypes.
Neuroendocrine Changes and Olfactory Perception
Dopamine Surge Post-Mating
In rodents, the perception of social odors, such as those found in male urine, can influence female reproductive status. After mating, there is a surge in dopamine in the main olfactory bulb, which impairs the female's ability to perceive these social odors. This sensory change helps prevent odors that could interfere with pregnancy, such as those that might block pregnancy shortly after mating.
Restoration of Odor Sensing
Treatment with a dopamine D2 receptor antagonist can restore the ability to sense social odors in pregnant females. This restoration can lead to the disruption of pregnancy if the female is exposed to alien male urine odors, which inhibit prolactin release necessary for maintaining pregnancy.
Conclusion
The smell of urine during pregnancy is influenced by a combination of maternal and fetal odortypes, reflecting genetic contributions from both the mother and the fetus. Additionally, neuroendocrine changes, particularly involving dopamine, play a crucial role in modulating olfactory perception to protect pregnancy from potentially disruptive social odors. These findings highlight the complex interplay between genetics, neuroendocrine function, and olfactory perception during pregnancy.
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