Summary
The steroid 5α-androst-16-en-3α-ol has a pronounced musk-like scent. It is a major constituent of the pheromone of the boar. It occurs also in axillary sweat of men but is devoid of androgenic activity. The presence of this steroid has been demonstrated in truffles (Tuber melanosporum) both by radioimmunoassay and by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in quantities of 40–60 ng/g fresh material. This offers an explanation for the ability of pigs to detect truffles growing as deep as 1 m under ground.
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Claus, R., Hoppen, H.O. & Karg, H. The secret of truffles: A steroidal pheromone?. Experientia 37, 1178–1179 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01989905
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01989905