From Thomas Clark
Your recent article and correspondence about depression in women who use condoms did not mention the influence of the smell of semen (29 June, p 5 and 20 July, p 27).
The chemical 1-pyrroline, which is present in human semen, is thought to act as a human pheromone. It is also found in sweat from the male pubic region. Some liken the odour to marrons glaces (sweet chestnuts) or as the chemical name implies, a faint, burnt oaky aroma. Others find it putrid.
Robin Klassnik and myself found in a study that homosexual men were attracted to the odour. But unlike the pheromone androstrenol, it has not yet been marketed.
Surry Hills, New South Wales
