We found that fathers exposed to isolated scents of their infant displayed a significant drop in serum testosterone levels within 20 min after exposure, whereas parentally naive males did not. These data suggest that infant's scent may have a causal role in regulating paternal testosterone in their fathers. This is the first study to demonstrate that olfactory cues have an acute effect on paternal care.
Title: Exposure to infant scent lowers serum testosterone in father common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus)
Authors: Shelley L Prudom, Carrie Ann Broz, Nancy Schultz-Darken, Craig T Ferris, Charles Snowdon and Toni Elaine Ziegler
Exposure to infant scent lowers serum testosterone in father common marmosets
26mei2010
Common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) males are bi-parental non-human primates that show extensive paternal behaviour. Fathers are in direct sensory contact with their infants during the natal period.