Researchers from the University of Otago in New Zealand report that exposure to female pheromones can influence body weight and longevity in mice, with findings published in iScience. The researchers explored how sensory cues shape physiological outcomes, presenting results that add to the growing evidence that the environment can steer biological pathways in mammals.
In their study, newborn mice were exposed to the odor of adult females from birth until they reached 60 days of age. The data show that females exposed to these odors reached sexual maturity later and, on average, lived about 8% longer than those not exposed to the scents. Importantly, the same exposure did not extend the lifespan of female mice when exposed to male odors, nor did any odors alter the longevity of male mice. Nonetheless, the female pheromone exposure did trigger higher energy expenditure for several hours, which translated into measurable weight loss for the subjects.
Lead researchers commented that this work represents a first glimpse into mammalian lifespan extension driven by olfactory cues. They stressed that the findings suggest environmental sensory inputs can influence development and physiology beyond mice, hinting at potential implications for human responses to environmental signals as well. The study opens avenues for further investigation into how scent-related cues might modulate metabolic and developmental processes in humans and other animals (iScience, 2023).
Looking ahead, the team plans to expand their inquiry by examining how different pheromonal signals affect adult subjects across species. A particular focus will be on discerning whether the scents of female pheromones produce similar effects in adult males and how these cues interact with other biological systems. The broader goal is to understand the mechanisms by which olfactory information translates into physiological change and what this could mean for health and aging research in humans and animals alike.