Volatile Signals During Pregnancy:

Pheromone Science Studies & Abstracts
1

1: [J Chem Ecol.](this, ‘jour’, ‘J Chem Ecol.’):wink: 2008 Dec 10. :wink:

Volatile Signals During Pregnancy: A Possible Chemical Basis for Mother-Infant Recognition.

Vaglio S, Minicozzi P, Bonometti E, Mello G, Chiarelli B
Laboratory of Anthropology, Department of Evolutionary Biology “Leo Pardi”, University of Florence, Florence, 50122, Italy, stefano.vaglio@unifi.it.
Human pheromones play a role in regulating relationships and apparently influence partner choice and mother-infant recognition. We analyzed the chemical content of volatiles from sweat patch samples from the para-axillary and nipple-areola regions of women during pregnancy and after childbirth. Solid phase microextraction was used to extract the volatile compounds, which were then characterized and quantified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. During pregnancy, women developed a distinctive pattern of five volatile compounds common to the para-axillary and nipple-areola regions (1-dodecanol, 1-1’-oxybis octane, isocurcumenol, alpha-hexyl-cinnamic aldehyde, and isopropyl myristate). These compounds were absent outside pregnancy and had slightly different patterns in samples from the two body areas. Differentiation of the volatile patterns among pregnant women may help newborns to distinguish their own mothers.
PMID: 19067079 PubMed - as supplied by publisher

2

Also, I always wondered what that nice smell was that emanates from the top of babies’ heads (before the fontanelle has closed?) - I tried Googling it without much joy. I’m sure that there is some bonding-pheromone thing afoot there!

3

Just ask Jas, I huff on baby heads

4

I think Pheros by Dr Smell This has a hint of baby-head note.

5

Whatever it is I smell this same smell on my husband’s breath when I’m wearing Est. It is awesome.

Diane