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Cited by 150Olfactory and Sensory Function StudiesNeuroendocrine regulation and behaviorEvolutionary Psychology and Human Behavior

Behavioral and electrophysiological effects of androstadienone, a human pheromone

Grosser, Bernard I, Monti-Bloch, Louis, Jennings-White, Clive, Berliner, David L·2000·Psychoneuroendocrinology
DOI 10.1016/s0306-4530(99)00056-6
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Abstract

Androstadienone is the most prominent androstene present on male human axillary hair and on the male axillary skin surface. We have previously shown that this volatile steroid is able to stimulate [corrected] the human female vomeronasal organ in picogram (pg) quantities, resulting in changes in autonomic activity. These effects are gender-specific. The purpose of the present study was to ascertain whether androstadienone could be considered a human pheromone by altering behavior as well as autonomic function. Forty normal female subjects were randomized in a double-blind manner to receive either control or 100 pg of androstadienone directly to the vomeronasal organ. We report that administration of this steroid under these conditions results in a significant reduction of nervousness, tension and other negative feeling states. Concordant changes were observed in autonomic physiology.

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Crossref · 10.1016/s0306-4530(99)00056-6

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29 of 29 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • These systemic responses include changes in blood pressure and heart rate, small but significant changes in hormonal levels, and some changes in mood.

    “These include changes in blood pressure and heart rate, small but significant changes in hormonal levels (Monti-Bloch et al., 1998a) and some changes in mood (Grosser et al., 2000).”

    From Human Vomeronasal Organ Function: A Critical Review of Best and Worst Cases (2001) · cites this paper as Grosser et al., 2000

  • Grosser et al. report significantly less negative mood in subjects exposed to androstadienone than in control subjects.

    “Grosser et al. also report significantly less negative mood in subjects exposed to androstadienone than in control subjects (Grosser et al., 2000).”

    From Human Vomeronasal Organ Function: A Critical Review of Best and Worst Cases (2001) · cites this paper as Grosser et al., 2000

  • In Grosser et al.'s experiments, androstadienone was applied directly to the VNO.

    “In their experiments androstadienone was applied directly to the VNO, a much better case for vomeronasal mediation.”

    From Human Vomeronasal Organ Function: A Critical Review of Best and Worst Cases (2001) · cites this paper as Grosser et al., 2000

  • A change of mood on exposure to a human-derived chemical does not adequately define a pheromone.

    “On the other hand, a change of mood on exposure to a human-derived chemical (Grosser et al., 2000;Jacob and McClintock, 2000) does not adequately define a pheromone.”

    From Human Vomeronasal Organ Function: A Critical Review of Best and Worst Cases (2001) · cites this paper as Grosser et al., 2000

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Authors
Grosser, B. I., Monti-Bloch, L., Jennings-White, C., & Berliner, D. L.
Affiliations
  • University of Utah (US)
  • Pherin Pharmaceuticals (United States) (US)
Corresponding author
Berliner, David L
Venue
Psychoneuroendocrinology
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2000-04
Volume
25
Issue
3
Pages
289-299
ISSN
0306-4530 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/s0306-4530(99)00056-6
OpenAlex
W2143515192
Cited by
150
References
34
Citations by year
2025: 1 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 7 · 2017: 9 · 2016: 5 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 9 · 2013: 5 · 2012: 7
FWCI
5.28
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
Locations
  • Psychoneuroendocrinology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Sensory Systems › Olfactory and Sensory Function Studies
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Evolutionary Psychology and Human Behavior
Keywords
androstadienone, human pheromones, vomeronasal organ, axillary sweat, autonomic nervous system, emotional arousal, anxiety, tension, gender differences, olfactory stimulation
MeSH terms
Adult, Affect, Analysis of Variance, Androstadienes, Behavior, Body Temperature, Cerebral Cortex, Double-Blind Method, Electrocardiography, Electroencephalography, Female, Galvanic Skin Response, Heart Rate, Humans, Instillation, Drug, Middle Aged, Parasympathetic Nervous System, Pheromones, Psychological Tests, Reference Values, Respiration, Vomeronasal Organ

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