In many species, social communication and mate choice are influenced by olfactory cues associated with the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). It has been reported that humans also respond to olfactory signals related to the human MHC-equivalent, the Human Leucocyte Antigen (HLA)-System, and exhibit an olfactory-mediated preference for potential mating partners with a dissimilar, disassortative, HLA-type compared to their own. The aim of this study was to investigate whether HLA-associated peptides, presented as volatile cues, elicit neuronal responses at the receptors in the human olfactory epithelium and can be consciously perceived. To this end the discrimination ability for peptides was tested in a 3-alternative forced choice model. Furthermore electro-olfactograms of the olfactory epithelium and EEG-derived chemosensory event related potentials were recorded using precisely controlled olfactometric stimulation with peptides and control odors. Based on responses from 52 young, healthy participants the peptides could not be discriminated and the electrophysiological signals provided no evidence for a specific response to the peptides which was in contrast to the control odors. In conclusion, within the current setup the results suggest that HLA-associated peptides do not produce specific olfactory activation in humans.

在许多物种中，社会交流和配偶选择受到与主要组织相容性复合体 (MHC) 相关的嗅觉线索的影响。据报道，人类也会对与人类 MHC 等价物、人类白细胞抗原 (HLA) 系统相关的嗅觉信号做出反应，并表现出对具有不同、不协调、HLA 类型的潜在交配伙伴的嗅觉介导偏好。给自己。本研究的目的是调查 HLA 相关肽（以挥发性线索的形式呈现）是否会引发人类嗅觉上皮受体的神经元反应，并能被有意识地感知。为此，在 3 种替代强制选择模型中测试了肽的辨别能力。此外，使用肽和控制气味的精确控制的嗅觉刺激记录嗅觉上皮和 EEG 衍生的化学感应事件相关电位的电嗅觉图。根据 52 名年轻、健康的参与者的反应，无法区分肽，并且电生理信号没有提供与对照气味相反的对肽的特定反应的证据。总之，在当前设置中，结果表明 HLA 相关肽不会在人类中产生特定的嗅觉激活。健康参与者无法区分肽，并且电生理信号没有提供与对照气味相反的对肽的特定反应的证据。总之，在当前设置中，结果表明 HLA 相关肽不会在人类中产生特定的嗅觉激活。健康参与者无法区分肽，并且电生理信号没有提供与对照气味相反的对肽的特定反应的证据。总之，在当前设置中，结果表明 HLA 相关肽不会在人类中产生特定的嗅觉激活。