Hormone can keep men faithful

Published on 15/11/2012 02:24

A “monogamy hormone” may cause men in committed relationships to keep away from women they find attractive, 
scientists believe.

The research focused on oxytocin, also known as the “cuddle hormone”, that helps forge bonds between loving couples and parents and children.

Studies have also shown that raised oxytocin levels make people more trusting. Scientists in Germany found that squirting the hormone up men’s noses had a distinct effect on those in committed relationships.

They kept a greater distance when encountering an attractive woman than did men treated with an inactive “dummy” version of oxytocin. But the same was not true for single men.

Scientist Dr Rene Hurlemann, from the University of Bonn, said: “Previous animal research in prairie voles identified oxytocin as a major key for monogamous fidelity in animals. Here, we provide the first evidence that oxytocin may have a similar role for humans.”