Hormonal regulation: what role in sensory perception and dietary behavior?

July 24, 2009 Within the FLAVIC* (Flavor, Vision, Consumer Behavior) research unit, Marie-Chantal Canivenc-Lavier is carrying out research as a part of the “Food preference and behaviors” research team directed by Sylvie Issanchou.

Having previously worked on the topic of “cancer and endocrine disturbances”, this specialist in endocrinology and animal physiology recently joined FLAVIC. “During a bibliographical study during the set up of a research program launched in 2005, I noticed that dietary behavior and sensory perception were under the influence of estrogens and androgens, and that there are specific characteristics according to sex  and age”, she explains. She notes that there are several examples within scientific literature of modifications to dietary behavior and sensory perceptions caused by endocrine disturbances, but little understanding of the implied mechanisms.

These reflections lead her to become interested in the impact of exposure to xenohormones on the development of saliva glands and taste buds, two organs that are essential to sensory perception. By exposing rats to xenohormones during the neonatal period, Marie-Chantal Canivenc-Lavier was able to modify their sweet taste perception. “These effects were obtained in the conditions of dietary exposure, so small doses. In adults, the effects were not very noticeable, but juvenile animals, in particular males, had an increased preference for sugar. In other words, this translated into a “feminizing” of their behavior as females had a greater preference for sugar than the males.”

In addition, the structure of the saliva glands of these rats showed certain modifications. “In young males we observed particular structures like those naturally present in fetuses. In other words, there seemed to be a slowing in the development of the saliva gland. We now have to explain these modifications and to see if they can be correlated with effects on dietary behavior.” It is in this context that the project CIME has just been launched. “We are continuing our research with the aim of better understanding the impact of xenohormones, during repeated exposures, on various organs associated with dietary behavior, but notably saliva glands”, she concludes.

Marie-Chantal Canivenc-Lavier’s research can also be linked to food safety. Indeed, imagine if babies who consumed a diet containing xenohormones (phyto-estrogens, pesticide residues, plastics…) were then oriented in their taste preferences. Only epidemiological studies can verify if there is indeed a risk of increasing the sweet taste preference of children.

“It is essential to try and understand better the potential risks on children even if it involves an approach that is difficult to set up”, she indicates. This research also presents an interest for the elderly, women undergoing menopause, and other groups that have the common point of suffering from mouth dryness. We know that falling hormone levels or a disturbance in endocrine balance can be a cause, leading to a reduced efficiency of saliva glands and their secretions. “Nutritherapies aiming to orient the diet of these people towards foods that are rich or poor, according to the case, in phyto-estrogens, for example, could be envisaged in order to re-establish a correct level of saliva for good sensory perception,” she concludes.

*
FLAVIC, Unité Mixte de Recherche (INRA, AgroSup Dijon, Université de Bourgogne)

Contact
Marie-Chantal Canivenc-Lavier
Email: canivenc@dijon.inra.fr

Source: Agence JFD and Co