Axillary pheromones modulate pulsatile LH secretion in humans

Abstract

We examined the effect of axillary compounds on pulsatile secretion of serum luteinizing hormone (LH). Axillary compounds were collected from donor women in the follicular phase (FP) and the ovulatory phase (OP) and were treated with isopropyl alcohol (IPA). The recipient was not exposed to either axillary compounds or IPA for the first 4 h and was exposed to FP or OP compounds, or to IPA, during the next 4 h. The frequency of the LH pulse was increased by FP compounds and was decreased by OP compounds, but the LH pulse frequency was not changed by IPA. Therefore, in humans, pheromones may play a role in the modulation of the timing of ovulation by changing the frequency of pulsatile LH secretion.