5-ALPHA-ANDROST-16EN-3-ALPHA-ON - A MALE PHEROMONE - A BRIEF REPORT

Olfactory cues play a prominent, yet underestimated role in shaping em otional attitudes towards conspecifics. Among humans olfactory cues ca n have effects on behavior. In a rating study (n = 290) females rated the smell of androstenone. The emotional reaction to androstenone chan ged during the menstrual cycle. Females rated the main component of ma le body odor unattractive. This changed to a neutral emotional respons e at the conceptive optimum around ovulation. The finding has direct c onsequences for hypotheses concerning the evolutionary loss of estrus. It is suggested that the cyclic-dependent emotional rating of androst enone may facilitate active female choice of sex partners and may be a proximate cue for female mate-choice.