Derived from the Ancient Greek words: φέρω phero which means "to bear" and hormone from ὁρμή "impetus", a Pherome is a chemical compound that is secreted or excreted by an animal and influences their behaviour and social response towards other animals of the same species. Pheromones are described by various early scientists like ethologist Karl von Frisch, Adolf Butenandt, Jean-Henri Fabre, and Joseph A. Lintner as “alarm substances” which are transported outside the body for the purpose of affecting the recipient’s neurocircuits as well as autonomous nervous system thereby influencing inflammatory signals, cytokine mediated physiological changes as well as changes in behaviour and immune systems.
The pheromones works like hormones in the body; sending specific chemical signals from one set of cells to another to ensure they perform a specific tasks. They are probably the oldest form of communication among animals known to man. For example, the female gypsy moth as well as Japanese beetles secretes a certain sexual pheromones to attract male mates. Similarly, certain plants and vertebrates employ pheromones as their means of communication: Amoeba for example, through the usage of pheromones attracts others amoebas of their species for reproduction.
…show more content…
Based on the aforementioned studies, what are described as human pheromones are Androstenone, Androstenol and Androstadienone. They are proved to be steroids present and secreted by the human body as stated by various scientists based on the following