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Science 27 December 1974:
Vol. 186. no. 4170, pp. 1217 - 1219
DOI: 10.1126/science.186.4170.1217
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Articles

Human Vaginal Secretions: Volatile Fatty Acid Content

Richard P. Michael 1, R. W. Bonsall 1, and Patricia Warner 1

1 Department of Psychiatry, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, and Georgia Mental Health Institute, Atlanlta 30322

Vaginal samples (682) were collected by a tampon method from 50 healthy young women. Samples were analyzed by gas chromatography. The volatile aliphatic acids increased during the late follicular phase of the menstrual cycle and declined progressively during the luteal phase. Women on oral contraceptives had lower amounts of volatile acids and did not show any rhythmic changes in acid content during the menstrual cycle. These same substances possess sex-attractant properties in other primate species.


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L. Rasmussen, M. Schmidt, R Henneous, D Groves, and G. Daves Jr (1982)
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Changes in the intensity and pleasantness of human vaginal odors during the menstrual cycle.
R. Doty, M Ford, G Preti, and G. Huggins (1975)
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