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The genetic secret of body odor: What can your body odor reveal?
Body odor, or body odor, is a characteristic characteristic of all animals, and its intensity is affected by a variety of factors, including behavioral patterns and survival strategies. Human body odor not only has a strong genetic basis, but is also strongly influenced by various factors such as gender, diet, health, and medications. Research shows that male body odor plays a key role in sexual attraction as it is a potent indicator of major histocompatibility complex (MHC/HLA) heterozygosity.
Many studies have shown that women are attracted to men whose body odor is different from their own, suggesting that they may have immune genes that are different from their own, which may help produce healthier offspring.
Causes of body odor
In humans, the development of body odor is influenced by a variety of factors, such as diet, gender, health and medications, but a major contribution comes from bacterial activity on the secretions of skin glands. Humans have three types of sweat glands: eccrine glands, apocrine glands, and sebaceous glands. Eccrine sweat glands are present from birth, while the latter two mainly become active after puberty. Body odor is mainly produced by apocrine glands, which secrete compounds that are metabolized by skin flora into odorants.
This process occurs mostly in the underarm area, although these glands can also be found in the areola, perianal area, and around the belly button.
Function of human body odor
Animal body odor
In many animals, body odor serves an important survival function. Strong body odors may be a warning to predators, such as the stink of a porcupine, or they may indicate that the prey is unpalatable. Some animals, when pretending to be dead to protect themselves, produce a strong odor to fool predators into thinking they are dead and in a state of decay.
Human body odor
In humans, body odor serves as a method of signal transmission, enabling the exchange of chemical signals between species, the so-called pheromones. These signals are transmitted primarily through body fluids. The point is, pheromones contained in body fluids can affect sexual attraction, social behavior, and even reproduction.
For example, mothers are able to identify their biological children through smell, and this identification is crucial in the mother-infant relationship.
Body odor and sexual selection
Pheromones play a role in the reproduction process. Women's sense of smell is particularly sensitive during ovulation, which further affects mate selection. They tend to be attracted to different MHC types, which helps enhance family stability and improve offspring survival.
Communication with relatives
Humans can identify blood relationships through smell. This ability is not only found among adults; babies can identify their mother by her scent, and mothers can identify their own children.
How genes affect body odor
Body odor is affected by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules, which are genetically determined and play an important role in the body's immunity. In addition, the ABCC11 gene is also closely linked to body odor, which affects underarm odor and earwax type.
Individuals with functional ABCC11 genes usually face strong body odor, while in East Asian populations, the loss of functional ABCC11 genes is common, which is related to their odor performance.
Factors leading to changes in body odor
Body odor may be affected by a variety of environmental factors, including diet, lifestyle, and personal hygiene habits. Studies have found that people who eat fruits and vegetables regularly have a more pleasant smell in their sweat, which has even been described as "floral, fruity, sweet and medicinal."
Of course, using deodorants, antiperspirants, etc. can effectively reduce body odor. The global market demand for such products continues to grow, showing that people attach great importance to body odor and pay attention to personal hygiene.
In 2014, the estimated size of the global deodorant market reached USD 13 billion and will continue to grow over the next few years.
With further research, can we gain a deeper understanding of the relationship between body odor and genes? Will this change our understanding of personal hygiene and social behavior?
