2-Nonenal-Ovulatory Specific Volatiles in Human Saliva throughout Menstrual Cycle by Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry Analysis

Problem statement: The present investigation carry out a pilot study of a novel method to identify the salivary volatiles in different phases of menstrual cycle for the assessment of ovulation detection using gas chromatography and mass spectrophotometer. Approach: The profiles from follicular phase (6-12 days); ovulatory phase (13-14 days) and luteal phase (15-26 days) of menstrual cycle samples were compared to establish any qualitative and quantitative differences that might have potential value in human olfactory communication. Dichloromethane was used as the solvent for extraction of the compounds. Results: Fifteen compounds were identified. They include organic compounds like, acid, aldehyde, amine and alcohol. The most important constituent was 2-nonenal, which usually comprised 75% or more of the total volatiles observed in ovulatory phase. The concentration of many constituents varied widely. This appeared to be periodically in three cycles for five of the constituents, with a period of a few weeks and with pronounced maxima at the peak of ovulatory period of which only two were common to all the chromatograms. The chemical profile of ovulatory phase saliva was distinguished by the presence of two specific compounds, viz. 2- Nonenal, Acetic acid and Acetaldehyde that were not found in the other reproductive phases of saliva sample in women. Apparently these compounds are 2-nonenal, dodecanol, acetic acid and acetaldehyde. One or more of these compounds may have pheromonal activity in human body odor. Conclusion: Differentiation of the volatile patterns among reproductive phases in women may help to find the diagnostic marker for ovulation detection.