Gene determines whether male body odor smells pleasant

Public release date: 16-Sep-2007

The largest study of its kind reveals that an ingredient in male body odor can smell like urine or take on a vanilla scent depending on a single odorant receptor gene

To many, urine smells like urine and vanilla smells like vanilla. But androstenone, a derivative of testosterone that is a potent ingredient in male body odor, can smell like either - depending on your genes. While many people perceive a foul odor from androstenone, usually that of stale urine or strong sweat, others find the scent sweet and pleasant. Still others cannot smell it at all...

Full article: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2007-09/ru-gdw091207.php
Other sources: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/09/070916143523.htm
http://www.physorg.com/news109167619.html