Androstenone

Androstenone is a steroid-like pheromone. It is found in boar's saliva, celery cytoplasm, and truffle fungus. Androstenone was the first mammalian pheromone to be identified. It is found in high concentrations in the saliva of male pigs, and, when inhaled by a female pig that is in heat, results in the female assuming the mating stance. Androstenone is the active ingredient in many pheromone colognes.

Chemical structure and properties

Androstenone, or 5α-androst-16-en-3-one, is a steroidal pheromone and neurosteroid in pigs, acting in the olfactory system. It is synthesized from androstadienone by the enzyme 5α-reductase, and it can be converted into androstenol by the enzyme 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase.

Biological function

In humans, androstenone also has been suggested to be a pheromone; however, scientific data to support those claims are weak. The Natural History Museum in the United Kingdom states that "although it was once thought that humans had lost their sense of smell, research has shown that human pheromones do affect our behaviour." In humans, androstenone has been suggested to affect mood and sexual behavior, but these effects are controversial.

See also

• Androstenol
• Pheromone
• Neurosteroid

Androstenone Resources
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