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. 2013 Jul;133(7):1760-7.
doi: 10.1038/jid.2012.480. Epub 2013 Jan 17.

Dependence of deodorant usage on ABCC11 genotype: scope for personalized genetics in personal hygiene

Santiago Rodriguez  1 , Colin D Steer, Alexandra Farrow, Jean Golding, Ian N M Day
Affiliations
Free PMC article

Dependence of deodorant usage on ABCC11 genotype: scope for personalized genetics in personal hygiene

Santiago Rodriguez et al. J Invest Dermatol. 2013 Jul.
Free PMC article

Abstract

Earwax type and axillary odor are genetically determined by rs17822931, a single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) located in the ABCC11 gene. The literature has been concerned with the Mendelian trait of earwax, although axillary odor is also Mendelian. Ethnic diversity in rs17822931 exists, with higher frequency of allele A in east Asians. Influence on deodorant usage has not been investigated. In this work, we present a detailed analysis of the rs17822931 effect on deodorant usage in a large (N∼17,000 individuals) population cohort (the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC)). We found strong evidence (P=3.7 × 10(-20)) indicating differential deodorant usage according to the rs17822931 genotype. AA homozygotes were almost 5-fold overrepresented in categories of never using deodorant or using it infrequently. However, 77.8% of white European genotypically nonodorous individuals still used deodorant, and 4.7% genotypically odorous individuals did not. We provide evidence of a behavioral effect associated with rs17822931. This effect has a biological basis that can result in a change in the family's environment if an aerosol deodorant is used. It also indicates potential cost saving to the nonodorous and scope for personalized genetics usage in personal hygiene choices, with consequent reduction of inappropriate chemical exposures for some.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Relationship between an odoriferous steroid and rs17822931 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotype and between deodorant use and the rs17822931 SNP genotype. (a) Concentration of the odoriferous steroid 5α-androst-16-en-3-one observed for each rs17822931 SNP genotype, as previously described (Martin et al., 2010). (b) Ratio of never use over daily use of deodorant in ALSPAC (Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children) white mothers observed for each rs17822931 SNP genotype. *There is a significant (P=0.002) difference between the ratios observed in AG and GG individuals.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Diagram showing the involvement of genetic variation in ABCC11 and both axillary odor and deodorant usage.
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