Abstract
In three age groups (mean ages 9, 15, and 20 years, ns = 58, 58, 112) olfactory sensitivity to 5 odorants was assessed. The prepubescent children showed no loss in sensitivity to the odor of amyl acetate but were inferior in detection of the other 4 odorants, in particular, in detection of 2 musk odors. The results suggest odorant-specific receptor development during puberty. However, it is emphasized that several factors should be better controlled before it can be concluded that changes with age can be used as a model to increase knowledge of olfactory function.