Androstenone (5a-androst-16-en-3-one) is a steroid found in male sweat.
It is said to have either an unpleasant, sweaty, urinous smell, with varying degrees of unpleasantness depending on the concentration. Around 1/4 of males can not smell androstenone, but noses can learn to smell it.
It has been described as a pheromone and extracts are commercially available as a supposed sex attractant.
Androstenone is normally a signaller of aggression.
Last updated: 05-22-2005 01:41:26
Last updated: 09-12-2005 02:39:13