Sex-hormone dependent perception of androstenone suggests its involvement in communicating competition and aggression.

摘要: Abstract Androstenone, a compound of human male body odor, might act as chemosensory signal communicating dominance or aggressiveness. In order to clarify its communicative significance, the relationship between androstenone perception and level circulating steroid hormones was investigated in both men women. Androstenone assessed within n = 26 n = 25 Female participants were not currently using hormonal contraception their follicular menstrual cycle phase. terms olfactory sensitivity, quality judgments, emotional self-ratings. The isovaleric acid served control. Over course 2 h five saliva samples collected, aliquots mixed levels estradiol testosterone analyzed via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. men, higher associated with lower sensitivity (p = 0.014) negative feelings when exposed it (p = 0.047). women, related judging less pleasant (p = 0.009) more unpleasant (p = .0036). unrelated sex-hormone levels. current results support notion dominance, aggression competition. Men are sensitive dislike possibly indicating that signals readiness for competition men. Similarly, fact women may be due being reduced willingness social cooperation an increased likelihood engage extramarital sex.