Re-defining “Pheromone” in a Mammalian Context to Encompass Seminal Fluid

What is it about?

The term ‘pheromone’ was originally coined to define a volatile chemicals sent between females and males to influence behaviour or physiology. Now, however, we are having to broaden the concept to include factors in the semen. Effectively, semen is not just a liquid that carries sperm. Rather, it carries strong chemical signals that act on the female reproductive tract to enhance the prospect of pregnancy.

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Why is it important?

By expanding the pheromone concept, we will gain a whole new perspective on chemical communication during reproduction in mammals, including our livestock. It is a sobering thought that those important immune molecules are lost in most artificial insemination programs when semen is greatly diluted.

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