Aphrodisiacs and anaphrodisiacs : better loving through chemistry : reproduction, behavior, pheromones, love potions, biological control
Abstract
Reproductive behavior in animals is modulated by an assortment of chemical signals. This paper focuses on substances that are externally emitted and are effective when a male and female are near or in contact with each other. Aphrodisiacs enhance an individual's propensity to mate, whereas anaphrodisiacs have the opposite affect. Both classes of chemicals occur intrinsically in insects and vertebrates. The existence either of intrinsic or of extrinsic aphrodisiacs and anaphrodisiacs in humans is suspected. Sexual modulators help us understand basic processes in animal reproduction. Further more, they may become important biological control agents. Genetics offers a valuable, but very under-exploited, approachin studies of intraspecific chemical communication.