MediLexicon News - Potential Pheromone Activates Brains of Homosexual Men

news headlines

email to a friend

printer friendly

Potential Pheromone Activates Brains of Homosexual Men

Main Category: Public Health

Article Date: 10 May 2005

A potential pheromone found in male perspiration activates the brains of homosexual men and heterosexual women in a similar manner, researchers report.

While it is unclear if humans respond to pheromones, candidate compounds include a testosterone derivative called 4,16-androstadien-3-one (AND), and the estrogen-like steroid estra-1,3-5(10),16-tetraen-3-ol (EST).

In a previous study, Ivanka Savic and colleagues demonstrated that the hypothalamus region of the brain becomes activated when men smell EST and women smell AND, but not vice versa.

In the current study, the researchers examined whether brain activation patterns induced by EST and AND corresponded with sexual orientation, rather than with biological gender. The scientists compared brain activity between homosexual men, and heterosexual men and women, in response to smelling EST, AND, and ordinary odors, such as lavender.

The researchers observed that AND activated the hypothalamus in homosexual men and heterosexual women, but not heterosexual men. Conversely, EST activated the hypothalamus in heterosexual men alone. All three groups responded to common odors similarly, engaging only brain regions that process smell.

These findings indicate that the human brain reacts differently to these potential pheromones compared with common odors, suggesting a link between sexual orientation and brain function.

PNAS highlights for the week of May 9 - 13

The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) is the multi-disciplinary, peer-reviewed journal of the National Academy of Sciences. Founded in 1914, PNAS publishes daily online and weekly in print. The preceding highlights are not intended to substitute for articles as sources of information. The articles in PNAS report original research by independent authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the National Academy of Sciences or the National Research Council.

Contact: Leikny Johnson
PNASNews@nas.edu
202-334-1310
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS)
http://www.pnas.org

Original article posted on Medical News Today.
Articles not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

Medical News Today publishes the latest health news and health videos for consumers and health professionals. It has a searchable archive of over 100,000 health news articles.

< back to medical news

For any corrections of factual information, or to contact the editors please use our feedback form.

Send your press releases to

Potential Pheromone Activates Brains of Homosexual Men

Medical Terminology Forums