This article is part of a Special Issue “Chemosignals and Reproduction” Across phyla,
chemosensory communication is crucial for mediating a variety of social behaviors, which …

Infants drive many lactation processes and contribute to the changing composition of human
milk through multiple mechanisms. This review addresses the major topics of milk removal; …

Rodent tears contain social chemosignals with diverse effects, including blocking male
aggression. Human tears also contain a chemosignal that lowers male testosterone, but its …

In the 20th century, mother-infant separation shortly after birth in hospitals became routine
and unique to humans. However, this hospital birth practice is different from the practice in …

The postpartum period is associated with structural and functional plasticity in brain regions
involved in parenting. While one study identified an increase in gray matter volume during …

Human chemosensory signals are able to transmit a wide range of social information to
conspecifics. Resulting from the interaction of several genetic and physiological processes …

This article is part of a Special Issue “Chemosignals and Reproduction”. In mammalian
species, odor cues emitted by the newborn are essential to establish maternal behavior at …

Body odors serve as signals of kinship, with parents exhibiting a preference for the scent of
their infants, and vice versa. The reciprocal perception of body odors can promote bonding …

Social communication refers to a basic human need, and findings accumulate that show
humans communicate numerous kinds of social information via chemosignals. Briefly, it will …

Parental care is critical for offspring survival in many species. In mammals, parental care is
primarily provided through maternal care, due to obligate pregnancy and lactation …