Androstenone is the active ingredient in 'Boarmate', a commercial product made by DuPont sold to pig farmers to test sows for timing of artificial insemination.
Humans lack the sensory cells that exist in other mammals needed to detect pheromones beyond a smell.
[clarification needed][dubious – discuss] Humans also lack the genetic ability to produce these sensory cells actively.
[15] To animals, the smell of androstenone can act as a social sign of dominance and can be a way of attracting a mate.
[citation needed][dubious – discuss] Some commercially available products are advertised using claims that they contain human sexual pheromones, including androstenone, and that they can act as an aphrodisiac.