Powerful Partners: Men and Their Sweat

Did you know that men who sweat together play well together, too?  A new study has confirmed that something in a man's perspiration can entice other men to be more cooperative and generous, according to a story by David Worthington.

"Men with higher testosterone levels are more susceptible to suggestion from their clammy compatriots," he writes at smartplanet.com.

It's hormones, a Finnish study has found, according to Worthington, and it's one I've never heard of: androstadienone.  Apparently this pheromone influences male decision-making behavior, Worthington reports. Studies are underway to see if this hormone can also determine whether “an attractive and dominant male can be a valuable potential mating partner for a female,” or a “competitor for another male." Worthington relates.

We know pheromones as the "sex" hormone but it looks like it has other uses, too.

At one time, it was thought that women were attracted to men's sweat smells but not all sweat is created equal, according to the Social Issues Research Committee (SIRC).

The male pheromone androstenone is not the same as androstenol, which is the scent produced by fresh male sweat, and is attractive to females. "Androstenone is produced by male sweat after exposure to oxygen – i.e. when less fresh – and is perceived as highly unpleasant by females (except during ovulation, when their responses change from ‘negative’ to ‘neutral’)," the Web site explains. I'm not sure where androstadienone comes in but I would assume, the good-smelling stuff.

So let's hear it for fresh sweat from men.  Now if only we could do something about their fashion sense. . .