Adult health and ageing are influenced by a variety of environmental factors, including social interactions and engaging in reproduction. Sensory cues perceived during these interactions are detected by sensory systems, and these inputs may be a key factor linking altered health to social conditions. In this presentation I will show that specific social stimuli are responsible for the changes in metabolism and ageing that occur with reproduction in mice. In females, pregnancy and lactation have been assumed to exert the major metabolic and life course changes occurring with reproduction. However, our research suggests that exposure to stimuli during the act of mating causes major changes in female growth and aspects of ageing. In males, olfactory cues detected by specific olfactory sensory neurons are important in driving metabolic and life course changes that occur with reproduction. Exposing males to just female olfactory cues causes metabolic changes, reducing body weight and adiposity when nutrients are provided in excess. Exposure to female odours can also influence male mortality, reducing survival when provided in addition to actual mating opportunities. This research highlights that sensory cues and stimuli from the opposite sex can have a major effect on the metabolism and life-course of mammals, explaining some of the well-established links between engaging in reproduction and effects on health.