Immunoactivation Affects Perceived Body Odor and Facial but Not Vocal Attractiveness.

ABSTRACT: Several previous studies have shown that in mammals, the health status of conspecifics can be assessed based on perceptual cues. Olfactory, visual, or acoustic cues may lead to avoidant behavior, thus reducing the risk of contagion by close contact with infected individuals. We tested whether immune system activation after immunization leads to perceptible changes in body odor and facial and vocal attractiveness in humans. We have experimentally activated the immune system of male participants using vaccination against hepatitis A/B and meningococcus. Their body odor, facial photographs, and vocal recordings were collected before and 14 days after vaccination. Subsequently, the body odor samples, facial photographs, and vocal recordings were assessed by female raters for their attractivene

SUBMITTER: Schwambergova D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10722934 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Oct-Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature