Men from different gene pools attract women: study

Women appear to have more interest in sex with men whose gene pool differs from their own, says a new study.

Women appear to have more interest in sex with men whose gene pool differs from their own, says a new study.

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Research conducted at the University of Mexico showed that when a man's gene pool barely differs from the female's, the woman has less of a sexual reaction to him. She feels less aroused and more readily rejects his advances.

This reaction has until now only been known to occur among animals, said a German psychology magazine reporting on the research.

Like other vertebrates, humans possess a pool of genes called major histo-compatibility complex (MHC). These genes determine the coding on the surface of the cells. The coding is used to identify the body's own cells and attack those that are foreign. The more varied the gene is, the better this function works.

Unlike women, men don't care how similar the MHC gene is. The report said this could be why men are not so choosy when it comes to sex.