Objective: Pheromones are compounds secreted through sweat or urines by one individual and perceived by another member of the same species, in which they trigger a behavioral response or physiological change. In humans, several studies have indicated that pheromones may influence reproductive endocrinology and have a positive effect on mood. Menstrual synchrony amongst women sharing the same environment is a long-recognized phenomenon related to pheromones produced in the armpits; these substances are not perceived as having any particolar odour, but nonetheless can influence the lenght of the mestrual cycle through the interference with different hormones. In consideration of the relationships between hormones, serotonin (5-HT) and mood, the aim of this study was to assess the possible changes of a peripheral marker of serotonergic system, in particular, the platelet 5-HT transporter, following men axillary extract stimulation. Method: Twelve healthy women were included in the study. The 5-HT transporter was evaluated by means of the specific binding of QH-paroxetine (QH-Par) to platelet membranes and with QH-5-HT reuptake assay in whole platelets, at baseline and after men axillary extract stimulation. Results: The results showed a decrease of dissociation constant (Kd) of the QH-Par binding after men axillary extract stimulation, as compared with baseline values. Conclusions: The present study showed that men axillary extracts produced a significant decrease of Kd, which is the inverse of the affinity constant, of the QH-Par binding, to platelets of healthy women. This finding suggests that these extracts, and perhaps pheromones carried by them, may provoke a rapid enhacement of the affinity state of the 5-HT transporter. In addition, it can be hypothesized that men axillary extracts contain something that may change the affinity of 5-HT transporter for the substrate and, through this mechanism, affect 5-HT metabolism and related functions.
Pheromones: state of the art and a personal contribution
MAURI, MAURO
2009-01-01
Abstract
Objective: Pheromones are compounds secreted through sweat or urines by one individual and perceived by another member of the same species, in which they trigger a behavioral response or physiological change. In humans, several studies have indicated that pheromones may influence reproductive endocrinology and have a positive effect on mood. Menstrual synchrony amongst women sharing the same environment is a long-recognized phenomenon related to pheromones produced in the armpits; these substances are not perceived as having any particolar odour, but nonetheless can influence the lenght of the mestrual cycle through the interference with different hormones. In consideration of the relationships between hormones, serotonin (5-HT) and mood, the aim of this study was to assess the possible changes of a peripheral marker of serotonergic system, in particular, the platelet 5-HT transporter, following men axillary extract stimulation. Method: Twelve healthy women were included in the study. The 5-HT transporter was evaluated by means of the specific binding of QH-paroxetine (QH-Par) to platelet membranes and with QH-5-HT reuptake assay in whole platelets, at baseline and after men axillary extract stimulation. Results: The results showed a decrease of dissociation constant (Kd) of the QH-Par binding after men axillary extract stimulation, as compared with baseline values. Conclusions: The present study showed that men axillary extracts produced a significant decrease of Kd, which is the inverse of the affinity constant, of the QH-Par binding, to platelets of healthy women. This finding suggests that these extracts, and perhaps pheromones carried by them, may provoke a rapid enhacement of the affinity state of the 5-HT transporter. In addition, it can be hypothesized that men axillary extracts contain something that may change the affinity of 5-HT transporter for the substrate and, through this mechanism, affect 5-HT metabolism and related functions.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
