Abstract
Androstenone (5α-androst-16-en-3-one) and other androstenes, body odor components occurring in apocrine secretions, may play
a role in human chemosignaling. We hypothesized that the odor of androstenone may gain hedonic value from sexual intercourse
experiences via associative learning. Young adults (N = 397, 61.5% women, age 21–24 years, randomly sampled regarding sexual experience) rated the intensity and pleasantness of
the odors of androstenone, cinnamon, chocolate, isovaleric acid, lemon, and turpentine. Among women who were able to perceive
androstenone, the odor was rated as more pleasant (less unpleasant) by those who had had experienced sexual intercourse with
at least one partner (n = 175) than by those who reported never having experienced intercourse (n = 12, p = .006). The difference was specific to women. The results suggest that, among women, sexual experience may modify the pleasantness
of the odor of androstenone.
a role in human chemosignaling. We hypothesized that the odor of androstenone may gain hedonic value from sexual intercourse
experiences via associative learning. Young adults (N = 397, 61.5% women, age 21–24 years, randomly sampled regarding sexual experience) rated the intensity and pleasantness of
the odors of androstenone, cinnamon, chocolate, isovaleric acid, lemon, and turpentine. Among women who were able to perceive
androstenone, the odor was rated as more pleasant (less unpleasant) by those who had had experienced sexual intercourse with
at least one partner (n = 175) than by those who reported never having experienced intercourse (n = 12, p = .006). The difference was specific to women. The results suggest that, among women, sexual experience may modify the pleasantness
of the odor of androstenone.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-6
- DOI 10.1007/s10508-011-9804-7
- Authors
- Antti Knaapila, Monell Chemical Senses Center, 3500 Market St., Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Hely Tuorila, Department of Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Eero Vuoksimaa, Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Kaisu Keskitalo-Vuokko, Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Richard J. Rose, Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
- Jaakko Kaprio, Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Karri Silventoinen, Population Research Unit, Department of Social Research, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Journal Archives of Sexual Behavior
- Online ISSN 1573-2800
- Print ISSN 0004-0002