The Vandenbergh effect the puberty changes when females live with males

The Vanderbergh effect refers to a phenomenon discovered in 1975 regarding prepubic rats mating behavior. In this study, female rats are exposed to feromones from the urine of males, accelerating their first estral cycle. Thus, we can see that pheromones both in animals and humans produce important effects on behavior. For example, they propitiate reproduction, give messages about territoriality and help identify individuals of the same litter.

Content

• Pheromones and their role in reproduction
• What is the Vanderbergh effect
• Effects of pheromones on humans
  • References

Pheromones and their role in reproduction

More than 50 years ago, researchers Karlson and Lüscher do research about the secretion of chemical substances in insects. In this way, in 1959, they publish an article on pheromones, a term that coined to refer to a type of chemical that has the potential to generate an interaction between individuals of the same species. That is, they are substances released to communicate some type of information; either regarding reproduction or territoriality. Generally, pheromones are detected by smell, but they can also be ingested or absorbed by the skin.

Feromones allow the exchange of information to meet basic needs and are useful to ensure the survival of organisms.

Initially, it was thought that pheromones only took place in the communication of insects, as the investigation suggested. Currently, it is known that these substances intervene in different more evolved living beings, such as mammals; including human beings. In the case of vegetable beings, these types of signals also intervene, receiving in that case the name of phytormones.

Most studies about pheromones have to do with the signs that indicate that an organism is ready to reproduce. Even so, These chemicals also intervene in social behavior, allow specific behaviors to be carried out; as the recognition of individuals from the same litter. Also, these substances are particularly important for inhibition or trigger for aggressive behavior, social organization, territorial marking and fear.

What is the Vanderbergh effect

Urine is one of the most studied peromonas sources by ethologists as a source of information that modulates communication. Within the most outstanding investigations on the subject, we have the research carried out by J.G. Vanderbergh in 1975.  Thanks to his experiments, this scientist discovers a surprising phenomenon by exposing the urine of males to female rats. No need to be in contact with males per se, females entered into heat; that is, they prepared to reproduce.

At this point, we could say that the Vanderbergh effect occurs when a young rat is exposed to the male's reproductive signals, present in the urine. As a consequence, we will have an early induction of the first estral cycle, seeing ready to mate. Physiologically, the urine of the male rat produces the release of GNRH, a chemical caused by the first estral cycle. This occurs because the female body will only take the step to start puberty if it detects that there are colleagues available.

In addition to the Vandenbergh effect, there are other particular phenomena that can only be explained by the action of pheromones in rats. For example, The smell of a male mouse can block the gestation of a female mouse; There are also smells that produce synchronization of stral cycles of female mice.

Effects of pheromones on humans

Just as rats are influenced by pheromones, in humans we can notice important effects on behavior due to these chemicals. Although it has not yet been determined if the Vandenbergh effect can occur on people, it is possible that the menstrual cycle will be synchronized thanks to pheromones.

According to this thread of ideas, A woman with irregular menstruation can adjust her cycle with a treatment that involves inhaling male essence. That is, he would be preparing to reproduce, as in the case of the experiment rats. Although in rats the first zeal looks advanced, we can see that the phenomenon in human women is quite similar.

On the other hand, some investigations suggest that The chemicals present in the semen and the armpits of men, can improve the mood of women who smell it. For its part, the strategraenol, present in the urine of women, could cause the same effect on men.

And if that was not enough, It has been discovered that certain metabolic abnormalities that modify the smell of body and urine, generating an alteration known as "fish smell syndrome". This one causes an extremely unpleasant smell for individuals around the patient, generating social aversion and very low self -esteem in who suffers from it. Even in pathologies such as schizophrenia and depression, the "olfactory delusional syndrome" can occur ". That is, delusional ideas and unpleasant olfactory hallucinations experienced by these patients are exacerbated in social situations. In conclusion, the action of pheromones is undeniable, powerful, and can cause both negative and positive effects on the behavior of all mammals.

Psychobiology of the senses: smell

References

• Gutiérrez-García, a., Contreras, c. (2002). Some ethological aspects of chemical communication in rats and laboratory mice. Rev biomed; 13: 189-209. Extracted from: https: // www.Medigraphic.com/pdfs/revbio/bio-2002/bio023f.PDF
• Karlson, p., Lüscher, m. (1959). 'Pheromones': a new table for a class of biological active substances. Nature. 183, 55-56. Extracted from: https: // www.Nature.com/articles/183055a0