Pheromones (and Cutler et al 1999)

Pheromone

an airborne chemical messenger that is passed from one individual to another which has an effect on the receiving individual.

Difference from hormones

Pheromones are kind of hormones however differ from regular hormones as hormones act inside the body, changing the functions and behavior of the animal whereas pheromones act on another animal of the same species by changing the behavior.

Animal Pheromones

Cutler 1999: showed that proceeding a female pig with the scent of a boar will result in the female adopting a mating readiness stance. The pheromone that might have led to this behavior has been identified as androstenone.

Human Pheromones

The existence of pheromones in humans is not certain as there is not substantial evidence to support their existence, however there are putative human pheromones such as andriostedione have been shown to influence human attraction.

Limitations of research on human pheromones

The vomeronasal organ is what detects pheromones in animals, however humans do not have a functioning one which is one of the key arguments against the existence of pheronomes in humans. However a study by Dorries et al showed that the vemeronsal organ tissue may not be required to detect androstenone.
Andriostedione has been found as a putative human pheromones because it is uncertain whether these chemicals are in fact pheromones or if they are actually influencing behaviour.

Andriostadione:

Found in male sweat and may help females when selecting a suitable mate. Androstadienone may influence behaviour through the sense of smell.

Point 1 (Saxton)

One study that investigated androstadione which have been found to exist within humans, and could possibly have an effect on attraction is saxton et al

Point 2 (Cornwell)

Androstadinone has also been shown to work along with visual signals such as masculinized appearances in men in order to send signals that facilitate mate preference in females. This is explored in Cornwall et al. Androstadione therefore, may affect the attraction of female through their role of signaling mate quality.

Point 3 (zhou)

Zhou et al explore the influence of androstadienone on attraction in both hetero and homosexual relationships. Androstadionone is likely to lead to increased attraction and perception of masculine features in both heterosexual females and homosexual men. Androstadienone has also been found to activate the hypothalamus in heterosexual females and homosexual males, but not in heterosexual males or homosexual females.

Conclusion

While there has been no significant data to confirm the existence of pheromones in humans, there has been studies and data which confirm the existence of the putative pheromones andriostadinone. Androstadienone has been shown to increase attraction to heterosexual men might work along side facial characteristuics in order to influence females perception of male quality and inclination towards pursuit.