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Ann N Y Acad Sci

Title:		On the nature of mammalian and human pheromones
Author(s):		McClintock MK;
Address:		"Department of Psychology, University of Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA. mkm1@midway.uchicago.edu"
Journal Title:		Ann N Y Acad Sci
Year:		1998
Volume:		855
Issue:
Page Number:		390 - 392
DOI:		10.1111/j.1749-6632.1998.tb10596.x
ISSN/ISBN:		0077-8923 (Print) 0077-8923 (Linking)
Abstract:		"Communication by chemical (pheromone) signals is important in many species, including mammals. Chemosensory and hormonal systems can interact in at least two ways: (i) chemosensory input, especially but not exclusively that through the vomeronasal organ, may elicit hormonal release, which, in turn, may facilitate behavioral or physiological responses; and (ii) hormones, especially steroids, may be essential for some responses to chemosensory, including vomeronasal, input. Recent, still controversial reports, suggest that chemosensory communication may occur in humans via a residual vomeronasal organ and that chemosensory/hormonal interactions also operate in humans. In this symposium these matters are examined critically. Johnston explores the concept of pheromone communication and suggests that the notion of a single-chemical 'magic bullet' irresistibly leading to a preprogrammed result is too simplistic despite documented examples of special stimuli acting via the vomeronasal organ. Meredith briefly reviews evidence for hormonal mediation of the effects of vomeronasal input; including a situation where vomeronasal and hormonal facilitation of a behavior appear to be interchangeable--but where vomeronasal input appears important only in inexperienced animals. Wood discusses evidence that the effectiveness of chemosensory input to particular brain nuclei depends critically on the simultaneous presence of a steroid hormone within the same nucleus. Monti-Bloch presents his evidence that steroids may act as gender-specific chemical signals in humans, exciting an electrical response from the residual human vomeronasal organ and affecting human hormone levels"
Keywords:		Animal Communication Animals Communication Humans Mammals *Pheromones;
Notes:		"MedlineMcClintock, M K eng 1999/02/04 Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1998 Nov 30; 855:390-2. doi: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.1998.tb10596.x"