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Physiol Behav

Title:		Context-dependent effects of steroid chemosignals on human physiology and mood
Author(s):		Jacob S; Hayreh DJ; McClintock MK;
Address:		"Department of Psychology, University of Chicago, 5730 South Woodlawn Avenue, Chicago, IL 60637, USA"
Journal Title:		Physiol Behav
Year:		2001
Volume:		74
Issue:		1-Feb
Page Number:		15 - 27
DOI:		10.1016/s0031-9384(01)00537-6
ISSN/ISBN:		0031-9384 (Print) 0031-9384 (Linking)
Abstract:		"We examined the physiological and psychological effects of nanomolar amounts of steroids applied directly under the nose (Delta4,16-androstadien-3-one and 1,3,5,(10),16-estratetraen-3-ol). These potential human chemosignals were not consciously discernible in a strong-odor carrier (clove oil and propylene glycol). In a double-blind, within-subject, repeated-measures experiment with 65 subjects, we demonstrated that both steroids produced sustained changes in digit skin temperature and palmar skin conductance (an indicator of sympathetic nervous system tone) while the subjects were completing psychological questionnaires or reading. These effects, however, did not follow the sex-stereotyped pattern predicted by a sex attractant function. Both androstadienone and estratetraenol raised the skin temperature of men's hands and lowered it in women. Likewise, each steroid increased skin conductance, with a significantly greater effect on women than men. Women's responses were observed only in the sessions run by the male tester, an effect that may or may not be solely attributable to tester sex. Men's responses, in contrast, were not affected by this difference in socioexperimental condition. Similarly, women experienced an immediate increase in positive mood only in the presence of the male tester, while men's responses were unaffected by this socioexperimental context. One source of this sex difference may be the fact that the majority of women were in the late follicular phase of their menstrual cycle. Although it is premature to classify these steroids as pheromones, our data suggest that they function as chemosignals that modulate autonomic nervous system tone as well as psychological state"
Keywords:		Adolescent Adult Affect/drug effects/*physiology Androstadienes/pharmacology Autonomic Nervous System/drug effects/*physiology Double-Blind Method Female Humans Interpersonal Relations Male Middle Aged Odorants Psychological Tests Sex Characteristics Sign;
Notes:		"MedlineJacob, S Hayreh, D J McClintock, M K eng HD-07009/HD/NICHD NIH HHS/ R37 MH41788/MH/NIMH NIH HHS/ Clinical Trial Randomized Controlled Trial Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S. 2001/09/21 Physiol Behav. 2001 Sep 1-15; 74(1-2):15-27. doi: 10.1016/s0031-9384(01)00537-6"