Scientists from the University of Liverpool have identified a pheromone present in the urine of male mice that irresistibly attracts females . The molecule has been named by its discoverers as " darcin " in homage to Darcy, the hero of the novel "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen.
In experiments with 450 adult female mice, in some cases the mice were allowed to "touch" the scent mark, while in others they only perceived the scent suspended in the air. The scientists found that when they touched darcin with their noses, the females were able to learn that particular scent and tripled the time they spent near the scent suspended in the air of that same male. "And they also showed no attraction to other males," explains Dr. Jane Hurst, co-author of the study published by BMC Biology .
Chemical signals linked to sexual attractiveness are common in many species, from nematode worms to elephants. In addition, odorous signals in urine are used to mark the territory. However, this is the first time that a specific protein has been identified in sexual attraction to a specific partner in vertebrates. Although the finding was made in mice, Hurst and his team believe that there may be pheromones in humans capable of eliciting similar responses to the smell of a particular individual .
