Abstract
Previous work on non-human species shows that diet can manifest in secondary sexual characteristics (e. g. carotenoids in body colour or proteins in odour) which in turn affect mate choice and reproductive success. In humans, body odour plays a significant role within mate choice process and is affected by the ingested diet.
The main aim of our study was to test how starving affects the hedonic quality of human axillary odour. We used balanced within-subject experimental design.
Odour samples (cotton pads worn in the axilla for 12 hours) were obtained from 20 healthy female donors using hormonal contraceptives across three 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. Odour samples were assessed for their pleasantness, attractiveness and intensity by 50 men.
Obtained data were processed by repeated measure ANOVA. 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.