Vocal Cues Of Ovulation In Human Females

Main Category: Biology / Biochemistry
Also Included In: Fertility;  Psychology / Psychiatry
Article Date: 08 Oct 2008 - 3:00 PDT

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This study examined whether women raise their voice pitch during ovulation. Higher pitch is more attractive and more feminine.

Researchers recorded voices of 69 women during two phases of their ovulatory cycle: once when fertility was low and once near ovulation (confirmed using hormone tests). The closer women were to ovulation, the more they raised their pitch.

This difference was found only when women spoke a simple introductory sentence, Hi, I'm student at UCLA, and not for simple vowel sounds.

The study shows that women change their voice in relation to fertility, and possibly only in social communication contexts.

Royal Society journal Biology Letters

Biology Letters publishes short, innovative and cutting-edge research articles and opinion pieces accessible to scientists from across the biological sciences. The journal is characterised by stringent peer-review, rapid publication and broad dissemination of succinct high-quality research communications.

Biology Letters