exposure to the scent of a reproductively-competent male can trigger earlier onset of puberty

Exposure to the scent of a reproductively-competent male can indeed trigger an earlier onset of puberty in young females, as discussed by Andrew Huberman. This phenomenon has been observed in animal models and is attributed to either odors or pheromones influencing hormonal systems. When a young female is exposed to the scent of a reproductively-competent male, without regular exposure to her father's scent, she may experience accelerated puberty. The presence of a biological father's scent can buffer or offset this effect by influencing the neural and hormonal systems involved 1.

Similar effects, known as pheromonal effects, have been studied in other species, such as rodents, where the introduction of a novel male can lead to early puberty in females who have not yet undergone sexual maturation. This is called the Vandenbergh effect, highlighting the complex interplay between scents and physiological changes 2 3.