The pheromone androstenol: Evolutionary considerations

Cowley gr Brooksbank have shown that female exposure to androstenol increases the number and depth of female interactions with males, However, in nature, the only females customarily close enough to males to be affected by male-emitted and rostenol would be sleeping and cuddling partners, i.e. mates or potential mates. Thus, the observed behavioral response is probably a mechanism for promoting bonding with mates and the evaluation of potential mates. Recognizing an evolutionary purpose for the female reaction to androstenol makes one feel more confident that the observed effects are real.