Androstenol, a putative human pheromone, affects human (Homo sapiens) male choice performance.

Abstract

A natural secretion, 5α-androst-16-en-3α-ol (androstenol) is speculated to function as a spacing pheromone. The effect of the odor of androstenol on restroom-stall choices was investigated over a 5-week period. The first, third, and fifth weeks served as baseline against which the effect of androstenol or a control odor, 3α-hydroxy-5αndrostan-17-one (androsterone) could be evaluated. During the second and fourth weeks, half of the stalls in each restroom were treated with androstenol or androsterone, respectively. As predicted, men avoided the treated stalls during the androstenol week only, and neither odor affected female stall selection, demonstrating a sex differential influence of the experimental odor. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)

Summary of the Study by SinglePheromones.com:

The experiment precisely demonstrates how men, like other animals, avoid areas marked (with male pheromone) by another male. In animals, intrusion into unfamiliar territory is manifested by aggression or withdrawal. As observed, in humans, the effect is similar to that of animals. Men avoid the space of another man, while on women, just like on females of other species, the relationship, in this case, has no influence.