A new pheromone that controls sex-related behavioural differences.

Behaviour is an amazing thing. Behavioural differences between males and females are inherent; programmed in our genes from birth. Courtship is a sexually dimorphic behaviour. Courtship basically refers to any behaviour that is related to attracting a mate. And yes, in humans this could involve some weird activities. However, in flies, this usually involves wing flapping (see the video below). Genes important in regulating brain activity have been found to affect neural circuits in the brain in a sex-specific way. In a recent article in Nature, the authors describe how one pheromone, common to both males and females, can elicit different neurological responses because the neural circuit that it activates is actually dimorphic, or different in males than it is in females. Remember this one next time you are selecting a perfume or cologne for your mate…