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Abstract The human vomeronasal organ (VNO) is an anatomical entity which is generally considered to be vestigial or non-functional. Nevertheless, a steroidal vomeropherin applied to the human VNO, results in changes of autonomic function, pulsatile release of luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormones, autonomic and electroencepholographic activity. The vomeropherin pregna-4,20-diene-3,6-dione (PDD) was delivered as pulses in an …

Continue reading “The functionality of the human vomeronasal organ (VNO): evidence for steroid receptors”

Abstract The mammalian vomeronasal organ (VNO) is a well-adjusted chemosensory structure that facilitates social and reproductive behavior in mammals. The existence, locality, and function of this organ in human adults remain a matter of discussion. Most authors now agree that a neuroreceptive function of the adult human VNO can be excluded due to the absence …

Continue reading “Anatomical evidence for an endocrine activity of the vomeronasal organ in humans”

Abstract The progesterone derivative 4,16-androstadien-3-one (AND) and the estrogen-like steroid estra-1,3,5(10),16-tetraen-3-ol (EST) are candidate compounds for human pheromones. In previous positron emission tomography studies, we found that smelling AND and EST activated regions primarily incorporating the sexually dimorphic nuclei of the anterior hypothalamus, that this activation was differentiated with respect to sex and compound, and …

Continue reading “Brain response to putative pheromones in lesbian women”

Abstract The testosterone derivative 4,16-androstadien-3-one (AND) and the estrogen-like steroid estra-1,3,5(10),16-tetraen-3-ol (EST) are candidate compounds for human pheromones. AND is detected primarily in male sweat, whereas EST has been found in female urine. In a previous positron emission tomography study, we found that smelling AND and EST activated regions covering sexually dimorphic nuclei of the …

Continue reading “Brain response to putative pheromones in homosexual men”

Abstract Human body odor may contribute to selection of partners. If so, sexual orientation may influence preference for and perhaps production of human body odors. In a test of these hypotheses, heterosexual and homosexual males and females made two-alternative forced-choice preference judgments for body odors obtained from other heterosexual and homosexual males and females. Subjects …

Continue reading “Preference for human body odors is influenced by gender and sexual orientation”

Abstract It has been demonstrated that exposure to men has the capacity to shorten the menstrual cycle in women. In the present study, the impact of the variables of sleeping arrangements and sexual activity were examined on both menstrual cycle length and the occurrence of ovulation as determined by basal body temperature charts. It was …

Continue reading “Exposure to men influences the occurrence of ovulation in women”

Abstract Menstrual synchrony in human females has previously been demonstrated among women attending a predominantly female university as well as among women attending coeducational universities. In each of these studies, women who spent the most time together were most likely to show the menstrual synchrony. In this experiment, the possibility that substances in axillary secretions …

Continue reading “Human axillary secretions influence women’s menstrual cycles: the role of donor extract of females”

AbstractPrevious research on the reproductive cycle and olfactory sensitivity in women did not directly compare threshold levels for social and environmental odors. Here, using a staircase method, we used successive dilutions to establish olfactory thresholds for Androstadienone – a social odor produced by men, and rose – an environmental odor providing trace elements necessary for …

Continue reading “The impact of reproductive status on olfactory sensitivity indicates the specificity of odor.”

Abstract Previous studies have shown that menstrual cycle length and fertility are affected by a regular pattern of either: (1) intimate contact with men; or (2) contact with extracts from male axillary secretions; and (3) the axillary extracts of women. Experiments utilizing axillary extracts employed a controlled, double-blind research design using either extract or placebo. …

Continue reading “Human axillary extracts: Analysis of compounds from samples which influence menstrual timing”

Abstract To explore the possibility that compounds which were identified as pheromones in experimental animals mediate human menstrual synchrony, we examined the relationship between menstrual synchrony and the ability to smell putative pheromones, 5α-androst-16-en-3α-ol (3α-androstenol) and 5α-androst-16-en-3-one (5α-androstenone). When we examined menstrual synchrony among 64 women living together in a college dormitory, we found that …

Continue reading “Positive Relationship between Menstrual Synchrony and Ability to Smell 5α-Androst-16-en-3α-ol”