A new study concludes that women of greater genetic diversity have more sexual partners. Researchers in Western Australia have said that it can be explained why some women are more sexually successful than others.

Having a diverse set of genes was beneficial because it meant a person had more defenses against invading germs, said Professor Leigh Simmons, of the University of Western Australia.

The expert further claimed that such genetic 'success' was thought to influence mate choice.

Professor Simmons said, when searching for a mate, on the subconscious level, people are seeking out someone with different genes from their own to create offspring with a lot of genetic diversity.

The Sydney Morning Herald reports that he said that a specific group of genes called the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), a driver of the immune system, had previously been shown to influence mate choice.

The research team assessed the genetic variability of 74 females and had them fill in a questionnaire about their sex life, to test if this genetic diversity affected the number of sexual partners a person had.

Professor Simmons found those women who had more genetic diversity in their MHC complex reported more sexual partners over their lifetime. (With Input from Agencies)