{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,25]],"date-time":"2026-09-25T18:04:38Z","timestamp":1790359478711,"version":"4.1.0"},"reference-count":43,"publisher":"Springer Science and Business Media LLC","issue":"1","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2016,8,31]],"date-time":"2016-08-31T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1472601600000},"content-version":"tdm","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0"},{"start":{"date-parts":[[2016,8,31]],"date-time":"2016-08-31T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1472601600000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["link.springer.com"],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Sci Rep"],"abstract":"<jats:title>Abstract<\/jats:title><jats:p>The major histocompatibility complex (MHC, called HLA in humans) is an important genetic component of the immune system. Fish, birds and mammals prefer mates with different genetic MHC code compared to their own, which they determine using olfactory cues. This preference increases the chances of high MHC variety in the offspring, leading to enhanced resilience against a variety of pathogens. Humans are also able to discriminate HLA related olfactory stimuli, however, it is debated whether this mechanism is of behavioural relevance. We show on a large sample (N\u2009=\u2009508), with high-resolution typing of HLA class I\/II, that HLA dissimilarity correlates with partnership, sexuality and enhances the desire to procreate. We conclude that HLA mediates mate behaviour in humans.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1038\/srep32550","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2016,8,31]],"date-time":"2016-08-31T13:02:00Z","timestamp":1472648520000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/springer_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":45,"title":["Influence of HLA on human partnership and sexual satisfaction"],"prefix":"10.1038","volume":"6","author":[{"given":"J.","family":"Kromer","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"T.","family":"Hummel","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"D.","family":"Pietrowski","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"A. S.","family":"Giani","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"J.","family":"Sauter","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"G.","family":"Ehninger","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"A. H.","family":"Schmidt","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"I.","family":"Croy","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"297","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2016,8,31]]},"reference":[{"key":"BFsrep32550_CR1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"20122889","DOI":"10.1098\/rspb.2012.2889","volume":"280","author":"M Milinski","year":"2013","unstructured":"Milinski, M., Croy, I., Hummel, T. & Boehm, T. Major histocompatibility complex peptide ligands as olfactory cues in human body odour assessment. Proc Biol Sci 280, 20122889, doi: 10.1098\/rspb.2012.2889 (2013).","journal-title":"Proc Biol Sci"},{"key":"BFsrep32550_CR2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"100","DOI":"10.1016\/j.tins.2005.11.006","volume":"29","author":"T Boehm","year":"2006","unstructured":"Boehm, T. & Zufall, F. MHC peptides and the sensory evaluation of genotype. Trends in neurosciences 29, 100\u2013107, doi: 10.1016\/j.tins.2005.11.006 (2006).","journal-title":"Trends in neurosciences"},{"key":"BFsrep32550_CR3","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1324","DOI":"10.1084\/jem.144.5.1324","volume":"144","author":"K Yamazaki","year":"1976","unstructured":"Yamazaki, K. et al. Control of mating preferences in mice by genes in the major histocompatibility complex. J Exp Med 144, 1324\u20131335 (1976).","journal-title":"J Exp Med"},{"key":"BFsrep32550_CR4","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"699","DOI":"10.1016\/j.neuron.2005.04.032","volume":"46","author":"L Stowers","year":"2005","unstructured":"Stowers, L. & Marton, T. F. What is a pheromone? Mammalian pheromones reconsidered. Neuron 46, 699\u2013702, doi: 10.1016\/j.neuron.2005.04.032 (2005).","journal-title":"Neuron"},{"key":"BFsrep32550_CR5","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2079","DOI":"10.1128\/IAI.71.4.2079-2086.2003","volume":"71","author":"EE McClelland","year":"2003","unstructured":"McClelland, E. E., Penn, D. J. & Potts, W. K. Major histocompatibility complex heterozygote superiority during coinfection. Infect Immun 71, 2079\u20132086 (2003).","journal-title":"Infect Immun"},{"key":"BFsrep32550_CR6","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"275","DOI":"10.1023\/A:1026487421626","volume":"104","author":"B Wobst","year":"1998","unstructured":"Wobst, B. et al. Molecular forms of soluble HLA in body fluids: potential determinants of body odor cues. Genetica 104, 275\u2013283 (1998).","journal-title":"Genetica"},{"key":"BFsrep32550_CR7","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1667","DOI":"10.1007\/bf01014099","volume":"16","author":"PB Singh","year":"1990","unstructured":"Singh, P. B. et al. Rearing rats in a germ-free environment eliminates their odors of individuality. J Chem Ecol 16, 1667\u20131682, doi: 10.1007\/bf01014099 (1990).","journal-title":"J Chem Ecol"},{"key":"BFsrep32550_CR8","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"411","DOI":"10.1016\/S0065-2776(08)60612-4","volume":"69","author":"D Penn","year":"1998","unstructured":"Penn, D. & Potts, W. How do major histocompatibility complex genes influence odor and mating preferences? Advances in immunology 69, 411\u2013436 (1998).","journal-title":"Advances in immunology"},{"key":"BFsrep32550_CR9","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"S21","DOI":"10.1016\/S0092-8674(02)00696-7","volume":"109","author":"JP Ting","year":"2002","unstructured":"Ting, J. P. & Trowsdale, J. Genetic control of MHC class II expression. Cell 109, Suppl, S21\u2013S33 (2002).","journal-title":"Cell"},{"key":"BFsrep32550_CR10","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"245","DOI":"10.1098\/rspb.1995.0087","volume":"260","author":"C Wedekind","year":"1995","unstructured":"Wedekind, C., Seebeck, T., Bettens, F. & Paepke, A. J. MHC-dependent mate preferences in humans. Proc Biol Sci 260, 245\u2013249, doi: 10.1098\/rspb.1995.0087 (1995).","journal-title":"Proc Biol Sci"},{"key":"BFsrep32550_CR11","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2715","DOI":"10.1098\/rspb.2008.0825","volume":"275","author":"SC Roberts","year":"2008","unstructured":"Roberts, S. C., Gosling, L. M., Carter, V. & Petrie, M. MHC-correlated odour preferences in humans and the use of oral contraceptives. Proc Biol Sci 275, 2715\u20132722, doi: 10.1098\/rspb.2008.0825 (2008).","journal-title":"Proc Biol Sci"},{"key":"BFsrep32550_CR12","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"668","DOI":"10.1093\/beheco\/arg043","volume":"14","author":"R Thornhill","year":"2003","unstructured":"Thornhill, R. et al. Major histocompatibility complex genes, symmetry, and body scent attractiveness in men and women. Behavioral Ecology 14, 668\u2013678, doi: 10.1093\/beheco\/arg043 (2003).","journal-title":"Behavioral Ecology"},{"key":"BFsrep32550_CR13","first-page":"1471","volume":"264","author":"C Wedekind","year":"1997","unstructured":"Wedekind, C. & F\u00fcri, S. Body odour preferences in men and women: do they aim for specific MHC combinations or simply heterozygosity? Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series B: Biological Sciences 264, 1471\u20131479 (1997).","journal-title":"Series B: Biological Sciences"},{"key":"BFsrep32550_CR14","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"384","DOI":"10.1016\/j.yhbeh.2004.11.005","volume":"47","author":"PSC Santos","year":"2005","unstructured":"Santos, P. S. C., Schinemann, J. A., Gabardo, J. & da Gra\u00e7a Bicalho, M. New evidence that the MHC influences odor perception in humans: a study with 58 Southern Brazilian students. Hormones and behavior 47, 384\u2013388 (2005).","journal-title":"Hormones and behavior"},{"key":"BFsrep32550_CR15","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"175","DOI":"10.1038\/ng830","volume":"30","author":"S Jacob","year":"2002","unstructured":"Jacob, S., McClintock, M. K., Zelano, B. & Ober, C. Paternally inherited HLA alleles are associated with women\u2019s choice of male odor. Nature genetics 30, 175\u2013179 (2002).","journal-title":"Nature genetics"},{"key":"BFsrep32550_CR16","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"497","DOI":"10.1016\/j.psyneuen.2008.10.007","volume":"34","author":"J Havlicek","year":"2009","unstructured":"Havlicek, J. & Roberts, S. C. MHC-correlated mate choice in humans: a review. Psychoneuroendocrinology 34, 497\u2013512 (2009).","journal-title":"Psychoneuroendocrinology"},{"key":"BFsrep32550_CR17","first-page":"1284","volume":"105","author":"RI Zbar","year":"2000","unstructured":"Zbar, R. I. et al. A classification schema for the vomeronasal organ in humans. Plast Reconstr Surg 105, 1284\u20131288 (2000).","journal-title":"Plast Reconstr Surg"},{"key":"BFsrep32550_CR18","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"209","DOI":"10.1016\/S0074-7696(06)48004-9","volume":"248","author":"M Witt","year":"2006","unstructured":"Witt, M. & Hummel, T. Vomeronasal versus olfactory epithelium: is there a cellular basis for human vomeronasal perception? Int Rev Cytol 248, 209\u2013259, doi: 10.1016\/S0074-7696(06)48004-9 (2006).","journal-title":"Int Rev Cytol"},{"key":"BFsrep32550_CR19","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"18","DOI":"10.1038\/79124","volume":"26","author":"I Rodriguez","year":"2000","unstructured":"Rodriguez, I., Greer, C. A., Mok, M. Y. & Mombaerts, P. A putative pheromone receptor gene expressed in human olfactory mucosa. Nature genetics 26, 18\u201319, doi: 10.1038\/79124 (2000).","journal-title":"Nature genetics"},{"key":"BFsrep32550_CR20","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"20131678","DOI":"10.1098\/rspb.2013.1678","volume":"281","author":"A Natsch","year":"2014","unstructured":"Natsch, A. A human chemosensory modality to detect peptides in the nose? Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B: Biological Sciences 281, 20131678 (2014).","journal-title":"Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B: Biological Sciences"},{"key":"BFsrep32550_CR21","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"20132816","DOI":"10.1098\/rspb.2013.2816","volume":"281","author":"M Milinski","year":"2014","unstructured":"Milinski, M., Croy, I., Hummel, T. & Boehm, T. Reply to A human chemo-sensory modality to detect peptides in the nose? by A. Natsch. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B: Biological Sciences 281, 20132816 (2014).","journal-title":"Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B: Biological Sciences"},{"key":"BFsrep32550_CR22","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"89","DOI":"10.1007\/BF00364292","volume":"17","author":"LT Rosenberg","year":"1983","unstructured":"Rosenberg, L. T., Cooperman, D. & Payn, R. HLA and mate selection. Immunogenetics 17, 89\u201393 (1983).","journal-title":"Immunogenetics"},{"key":"BFsrep32550_CR23","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"497","DOI":"10.1086\/515511","volume":"61","author":"C Ober","year":"1997","unstructured":"Ober, C. et al. HLA and mate choice in humans. The American Journal of Human Genetics 61, 497\u2013504 (1997).","journal-title":"The American Journal of Human Genetics"},{"key":"BFsrep32550_CR24","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"25","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1744-313X.1983.tb01013.x","volume":"10","author":"M Giphart","year":"1983","unstructured":"Giphart, M. & D\u2019Amaro, J. HLA and reproduction? Journal of immunogenetics 10, 25\u201329 (1983).","journal-title":"Journal of immunogenetics"},{"key":"BFsrep32550_CR25","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e1000184","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pgen.1000184","volume":"4","author":"R Chaix","year":"2008","unstructured":"Chaix, R., Cao, C. & Donnelly, P. Is mate choice in humans MHC-dependent. PLoS Genet 4, e1000184 (2008).","journal-title":"PLoS Genet"},{"key":"BFsrep32550_CR26","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"830","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1467-9280.2006.01789.x","volume":"17","author":"CE Garver-Apgar","year":"2006","unstructured":"Garver-Apgar, C. E., Gangestad, S. W., Thornhill, R., Miller, R. D. & Olp, J. J. Major histocompatibility complex alleles, sexual responsivity, and unfaithfulness in romantic couples. Psychological science 17, 830\u2013835, doi: 10.1111\/j.1467-9280.2006.01789.x (2006).","journal-title":"Psychological science"},{"key":"BFsrep32550_CR27","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"976","DOI":"10.1177\/000348940111001015","volume":"110","author":"T Hummel","year":"2001","unstructured":"Hummel, T., Konnerth, C. G., Rosenheim, K. & Kobal, G. Screening of olfactory function with a four-minute odor identification test: reliability, normative data, and investigations in patients with olfactory loss. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 110, 976\u2013981 (2001).","journal-title":"Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol"},{"key":"BFsrep32550_CR28","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1471","DOI":"10.1098\/rspb.1997.0204","volume":"264","author":"C Wedekind","year":"1997","unstructured":"Wedekind, C. & Furi, S. Body odour preferences in men and women: do they aim for specific MHC combinations or simply heterozygosity? Proc Biol Sci 264, 1471\u20131479, doi: 10.1098\/rspb.1997.0204 (1997).","journal-title":"Proc Biol Sci"},{"key":"BFsrep32550_CR29","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"512","DOI":"10.1038\/329512a0","volume":"329","author":"P Bjorkman","year":"1987","unstructured":"Bjorkman, P. et al. The foreign antigen binding site and T cell recognition regions of class I histocompatibility antigens. Nature 329, 512\u2013518 (1987).","journal-title":"Nature"},{"key":"BFsrep32550_CR30","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1551","DOI":"10.1038\/nn.2452","volume":"12","author":"T Leinders-Zufall","year":"2009","unstructured":"Leinders-Zufall, T., Ishii, T., Mombaerts, P., Zufall, F. & Boehm, T. Structural requirements for the activation of vomeronasal sensory neurons by MHC peptides. Nature neuroscience 12, 1551\u20131558 (2009).","journal-title":"Nature neuroscience"},{"key":"BFsrep32550_CR31","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"47","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1744-313X.2009.00885.x","volume":"37","author":"SG Marsh","year":"2010","unstructured":"Marsh, S. G. Nomenclature for factors of the HLA system, update July 2009. International journal of immunogenetics 37, 47\u201353 (2010).","journal-title":"International journal of immunogenetics"},{"key":"BFsrep32550_CR32","first-page":"63","volume":"15","author":"V Lange","year":"2014","unstructured":"Lange, V. et al. Cost-efficient high-throughput HLA typing by MiSeq amplicon sequencing. BMC genomics 15, 63 (2014).","journal-title":"genomics"},{"key":"BFsrep32550_CR33","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"384","DOI":"10.1126\/science.7123238","volume":"218","author":"WD Hamilton","year":"1982","unstructured":"Hamilton, W. D. & Zuk, M. Heritable true fitness and bright birds: a role for parasites? Science 218, 384\u2013387 (1982).","journal-title":"Science"},{"key":"BFsrep32550_CR34","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"22","DOI":"10.1046\/j.0303-4569.2001.00473.x","volume":"34","author":"M Beutel","year":"2002","unstructured":"Beutel, M., Schumacher, J., Weidner, W. & Br\u00e4hler, E. Sexual activity, sexual and partnership satisfaction in ageing men\u2014results from a German representative community study. Andrologia 34, 22\u201328 (2002).","journal-title":"Andrologia"},{"key":"BFsrep32550_CR35","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"3821","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1365-294X.2004.02361.x","volume":"13","author":"R Ekblom","year":"2004","unstructured":"Ekblom, R. et al. Major histocompatibility complex variation and mate choice in a lekking bird, the great snipe (Gallinago media). Molecular Ecology 13, 3821\u20133828, doi: 10.1111\/j.1365-294X.2004.02361.x (2004).","journal-title":"Molecular Ecology"},{"key":"BFsrep32550_CR36","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1343","DOI":"10.1126\/science.1088293","volume":"301","author":"KM Wegner","year":"2003","unstructured":"Wegner, K. M., Kalbe, M., Kurtz, J., Reusch, T. B. & Milinski, M. Parasite selection for immunogenetic optimality. Science 301, 1343\u20131343 (2003).","journal-title":"Science"},{"key":"BFsrep32550_CR37","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1254","DOI":"10.1093\/molbev\/msi112","volume":"22","author":"G Froeschke","year":"2005","unstructured":"Froeschke, G. & Sommer, S. MHC class II DRB variability and parasite load in the striped mouse (Rhabdomys pumilio) in the southern Kalahari. Molecular biology and evolution 22, 1254\u20131259 (2005).","journal-title":"Molecular biology and evolution"},{"key":"BFsrep32550_CR38","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"165","DOI":"10.1007\/s00251-011-0576-y","volume":"64","author":"N Qutob","year":"2012","unstructured":"Qutob, N. et al. Signatures of historical demography and pathogen richness on MHC class I genes. Immunogenetics 64, 165\u2013175 (2012).","journal-title":"Immunogenetics"},{"key":"BFsrep32550_CR39","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1046\/j.1439-0310.2002.00768.x","volume":"108","author":"DJ Penn","year":"2002","unstructured":"Penn, D. J. The scent of genetic compatibility: sexual selection and the major histocompatibility complex. Ethology 108, 1\u201321 (2002).","journal-title":"Ethology"},{"key":"BFsrep32550_CR40","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"169","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1600-065X.1999.tb01390.x","volume":"167","author":"S Mikko","year":"1999","unstructured":"Mikko, S., R\u00f8ed, K., Schmutz, S. & Andersson, L. Monomorphism and polymorphism at Mhc DRB loci in domestic and wild ruminants. Immunological reviews 167, 169\u2013178 (1999).","journal-title":"Immunological reviews"},{"key":"BFsrep32550_CR41","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1335","DOI":"10.1016\/S1286-4579(00)01287-9","volume":"2","author":"KJ Jeffery","year":"2000","unstructured":"Jeffery, K. J. & Bangham, C. R. Do infectious diseases drive MHC diversity? Microbes and Infection 2, 1335\u20131341 (2000).","journal-title":"Microbes and Infection"},{"key":"BFsrep32550_CR42","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2473","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1558-5646.2008.00478.x","volume":"62","author":"HC Lie","year":"2008","unstructured":"Lie, H. C., Rhodes, G. & Simmons, L. W. Genetic diversity revealed in human faces. Evolution 62, 2473\u20132486 (2008).","journal-title":"Evolution"},{"key":"BFsrep32550_CR43","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"213","DOI":"10.1016\/j.evolhumbehav.2004.09.002","volume":"26","author":"SC Roberts","year":"2005","unstructured":"Roberts, S. C. et al. MHC-heterozygosity and human facial attractiveness. Evolution and Human Behavior 26, 213\u2013226 (2005).","journal-title":"Evolution and Human Behavior"}],"container-title":["Scientific Reports"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/srep32550.pdf","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/srep32550","content-type":"text\/html","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/srep32550.pdf","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2023,1,5]],"date-time":"2023-01-05T05:50:15Z","timestamp":1672897815000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/srep32550"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2016,8,31]]},"references-count":43,"journal-issue":{"issue":"1","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2016,9,30]]}},"alternative-id":["BFsrep32550"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/srep32550","relation":{},"ISSN":["2045-2322"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2045-2322","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2016,8,31]]},"assertion":[{"value":"17 March 2016","order":1,"name":"received","label":"Received","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"value":"9 August 2016","order":2,"name":"accepted","label":"Accepted","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"value":"31 August 2016","order":3,"name":"first_online","label":"First Online","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"value":"The authors declare no competing financial interests.","order":1,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Competing interests"}}],"article-number":"32550"}}