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 20 August 2008 21:09 BST

Secrets of an attractive female voice

Thursday, 01 May 2008 00:02
Attractive female voices could be down to fertility, research suggests

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A seductive female voice is not just down to lucky genetics but also to fertile times of the month, according to a new study.

Researchers at the State University of New York at Albany found that women's voices are more attractive to other people when they are most fertile.

A report on the findings in the New Scientist says both men and women found female voices more attractive when they spoke during the peak fertility period of the menstrual cycle.

The scientists recorded women counting from one to ten at four occasions during their menstrual cycle.

Male and female students then listened to the recordings in a random order and were asked to rate the attractiveness of the voices.

Recordings made during the least fertile moments of a woman's cycle were deemed to be least attractive.

Researcher Gordon Gallup said the findings were in line with evidence that the female voice box is affected by sex hormones.

He told the New Scientist that the fact men notice the differences in vocal attractiveness suggests there is a subtle evolutionary battle of the sexes.

Research has suggested that women have evolved more efficient ways to conceal fertility; last year a study claimed that women walking with a sexy sway may actually be sending out misleading messages to men about when they are fertile to ensure only the males they are interested in are able to get close to them.

As women evolve these techniques, men become increasingly sensitive to the tiny changes that do occur, according to today's study.

Women finding voices during fertile periods attractive is said to be beneficial for females; by picking up on others' fertility women can monitor their competition.
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