Pheromones: A New Ergogenic Aid in Sport?

Abstract

Nowadays, antidoping laboratories are improving detection methods to confirm the use of forbidden substances. These tests are based both on direct identification of new substances or their metabolites and on indirect evaluation of changes in gene, protein, or metabolite patterns (genomics, proteomics, or metabolomics). The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) officially monitors anabolic steroids, hormones, growth factors, β-agonists, hormone and metabolic modulators, masking agents, street drugs, manipulation of blood and blood components, chemical and physical manipulation, gene doping, stimulants, narcotics, glucocorticosteroids, and β-blockers. However, several other substances are under review by WADA. Pheromones accomplish the structure and function of life from its first step, while they have an impact on the body's performance. Both testosterone and pheromones have an ergogenic effect that could potentially affect an athlete's performance. The authors share their questions concerning the potential impact of pheromones in sports.

Pheromones -Psychosexual Stimulants

“…A potential female pheromone may alter mood in men and that the social context may alter how men respond to exposure. According to Papaloucas [30], the role of pheromones and testosterones has been studied in sports activity especially for athletes whether pheromones have any effects on their performance. Zaviacic, Sisovsky and Zaviacic [24] reported that Odor communication in men is certainly of significance even though it is unconscious, rather than active as compared to subhuman primates.…”

Annual banned‐substance review: analytical approaches in human sports drug testing

“…In addition, the potential (mis)use of corticosteroids and the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)δ agonist telmisartan during in-and out-of-competition periods was monitored. Motivated inter alia by the alarming spectrum and amount of seized doping agents in different countries, [28,29] and the continuously growing spectrum of classified [30] as well as potential [31][32][33] doping agents, new and/or complementary sports drug testing approaches were taken into consideration and, where feasible and established, implemented (as outlined in the following sections). The approaches ranged from modified and/or improved analytical instrumentation and data-mining strategies [34,35] to alternative test matrices such as, for example, dried blood spots (DBS)/dried plasma spots (DPS), oral fluid, exhaled breath, and hair.…”