Abstract
Previous work on non-human species showed that mate choice and reproductive success is in part affected by cues of secondary sexual characteristics which are cues to assess condition of potential mate. These cues could be influenced by diet e.g. amount of proteins in rodent odour.
Similarly in humans, body odour plays a significant role within mate choice process and is affected by the ingested diet. Therefore the main aim of our study was to test how starving and diet affects the hedonic quality of human axillary odour.
We used balanced within-subject experimental design. Odour samples were obtained from female donors across 3 conditions: i) during their habitual food regime; ii) after 48 hours of starvation (drinking water was provided) and iii) after 72 hours after restoration of caloric intake.
Obtained data were processed by repeated measure ANOVA and bivariate correlation analysis. The odour samples collected during caloric restriction were rated significantly less pleasant, less attractive and more intense compared to odour samples collected after starving.
We calculated difference in ratings between second (during starving) and first (before starving) sampling. The differences in ratings of attractiveness and differences in glucose levels were negatively correlated.
Interestingly, we also found that body odour was rated more pleasant, more attractive and less intense after restoration of food intake than prior starving (we presumed no significant differences); this could be caused by specific diet recommended after starving to avoid potential digestive difficulties. Our results suggest that restoration of food intake positively influences hedonic assessment of human body odour.
Results will be discussed within the sexual selection framework. Body odour quality is linked not only to markers of genetic compatibility or fertility status but also to the dietetic factors.
These might provide cues to current fitness status and metabolic efficiency.