JRSM > Volume 100, Number 6 > Pp. 268-274

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Review

Sex and the nose: human pheromonal responses

Mahmood F Bhutta

SpR Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Department of ENT, Kettering General Hospital, Rothwell Road, Kettering, Northants NN16 8UZ, UK E-mail: m.bhutta{at}doctors.org.uk

SUMMARY

The chemosensory functions of the human nose are underappreciated. Traditional teaching is that the sense of smell detects volatile compounds, which may then allow the identification of substances that may be beneficial or harmful—such as good versus putrefied food. However, increasing evidence from research in other animals suggests that olfaction may serve another and more important purpose, that of mate selection in sexual reproduction; indeed, olfaction may be an essential impetus for evolution.

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