Bourgeonal

Bourgeonal is an aromatic aldehyde used in perfumery. It has a fragrance reminiscent of Lily of the Valley, otherwise described as floral, watery, green and aldehydic. It is a pale yellow liquid at room temperature.

It is toxic if swallowed and can cause skin irritation and sensitisation on contact.

Recently it was found that in vitro, bourgeonal acts as a chemoattractant for human spermatozoa, activating an olfactory receptor called hOR17-4 which opens calcium ion channels in the sperm, leading them to swim twice as fast. Bourgeonal is suspected to be involved in helping sperm locate the ovum.