Do genes help us select our romantic partner? Special By By Tim Sandle Sep 18, 2013 in Science Irvine - Novel research is being conducted whether genetic-compatibility, through different genes, plays a role in the way people select romantic partners. Can taking the 'pill' cause a woman to pick the wrong partner? Special More Karen explained the background to her study: “Research suggests that women are typically attracted to the scents of male partners who differ from them in a complex of genes called the Major-Histocompatibility Complex (MHC).” In other words “Might genetics explain the spark’ we experience with some people, but not others? What is responsible for the ‘chemistry’ that people sometimes experience when they meet a potential mate?” The An applied area of the MHC is a role in sexual selection. Back in 1976 some From this, it has been proposed that MHC is related to mate choice in some human populations. This has inspired Karen’s research, as she outlines “Several studies suggest that normally-ovulating women may be more attracted to men who are more MHC-dissimilar.” The risks of people who are MHC-similar include poorer health outcomes, such as lower birth weight of offspring and higher rates of miscarriages. One key part of Karen’s research is the impact of the birth control pill, as she goes onto explain: “Women on birth control pills have been found to be attracted instead to the scents of men who are similar to them in MHC (example: relatives). This could result in poorer health outcomes, such as lower birth weight of offspring and higher rates of miscarriage.” The research can be complicated by lifestyle or other social changes, as Karen indicates: “Additionally, some women say that they lose their attraction to their male partners after they either start or stop taking birth control pills.” To explore these issues, Karen is undertaking a series of experiments. These are studies which “utilizes a speed-dating design, in which participants' mate choices have real-life consequences.” This issue of the birth control pill and its effect on the human body obviously fascinates Karen. “In light of these findings and anecdotes, it is important to further investigate the possible "hidden" effects of birth control pills.” If her results are supported at the end of the study, Karen warns that “If use of oral contraceptives is associated with mate preferences, couples should be informed before making decisions regarding their use.” Karen is seeking funding for further research, where she explains that "donations will go entirely towards the genotyping of participants' DNA samples". Details can be found on Also included in the genetic influencing study is whether birth control pills may affect women's natural instinct to select male partners with whom they are genetically-compatible. To find out more about the research, Digital Journal spoke with Karen Wu who is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of California, Irvine.Karen explained the background to her study: “Research suggests that women are typically attracted to the scents of male partners who differ from them in a complex of genes called the Major-Histocompatibility Complex (MHC).” In other words “Might genetics explain the spark’ we experience with some people, but not others? What is responsible for the ‘chemistry’ that people sometimes experience when they meet a potential mate?”The MHC is a set of cell surface molecules encoded by a large gene family and it is found in all animals. The identified functions of the MHC include compatibility of donors for organ transplant as well as person’s susceptibility to an autoimmune disease.An applied area of the MHC is a role in sexual selection. Back in 1976 some scientists demonstrated a preference by male mice for females of different MHCa. Similar results have been obtained with fish and birds. In relation to people , some experiments have found lower rates of early pregnancy loss in human couples of dissimilar MHC genes.From this, it has been proposed that MHC is related to mate choice in some human populations. This has inspired Karen’s research, as she outlines “Several studies suggest that normally-ovulating women may be more attracted to men who are more MHC-dissimilar.” The risks of people who are MHC-similar include poorer health outcomes, such as lower birth weight of offspring and higher rates of miscarriages.One key part of Karen’s research is the impact of the birth control pill, as she goes onto explain: “Women on birth control pills have been found to be attracted instead to the scents of men who are similar to them in MHC (example: relatives). This could result in poorer health outcomes, such as lower birth weight of offspring and higher rates of miscarriage.”The research can be complicated by lifestyle or other social changes, as Karen indicates: “Additionally, some women say that they lose their attraction to their male partners after they either start or stop taking birth control pills.”To explore these issues, Karen is undertaking a series of experiments. These are studies which “utilizes a speed-dating design, in which participants' mate choices have real-life consequences.”This issue of the birth control pill and its effect on the human body obviously fascinates Karen. “In light of these findings and anecdotes, it is important to further investigate the possible "hidden" effects of birth control pills.” If her results are supported at the end of the study, Karen warns that “If use of oral contraceptives is associated with mate preferences, couples should be informed before making decisions regarding their use.”Karen is seeking funding for further research, where she explains that "donations will go entirely towards the genotyping of participants' DNA samples". Details can be found on her website More about Genes, Romance, Love, MajorHistocompatibility Complex, Birth control More news from Genes Romance Love MajorHistocompatibil... Birth control the pill