Human chemosignals originating from axillary sweat are becoming increasingly attractive in neuroscience research. In this study, we were particularly interested in the subjective and objective perception of chemosignals sampled during a TSST and a friendly version of the TSST concerning the time and the body region of sampling. Participants were asked to rate intensity, pleasantness, dominance, arousal, masculinity/femininity, and sexual attractiveness of the samples using visual analog scales. We did not determine significant differences between the two stress conditions (TSST/friendly TSST) but demonstrated significant differences in the perception of stress sweat concerning sampling time. Samples donated during the stress test were rated as more unpleasant, less sexually attractive, and more male-related than samples donated before and after the stress test. Regarding the body region, neck samples were evaluated as more pleasant, sexually attractive, and feminine-related, while armpit samples were rated as more intense, arousing, and dominant.
During objective assessment by a trained panel, the samples were characterized as sweaty-mouldy, sulphury and grapefruit-like. Additionally, sweat samples from the armpit collected during the stress test were evaluated as most arousing and dominant.
With this research, we were not only able to characterize stress sweat with attributes in a descriptive manner but did also prove that sampling during the stress test shows the most potent behavioral response. Finally, we here show differences in perception of stress sweat from different body regions, which can be important for subsequent attractiveness-specific chemosignal studies.