Abstract
Background: The second to fourth digit ratio (2D:4D ratio) is suggested to be a negative correlate of prenatal testosterone. Little is known about the role of the 2D:4D ratio in relation to serum and urinary androgens for physical performance in female athletes. We aimed to compare the 2D:4D ratio in female Olympic athletes with sedentary controls, and to investigate the 2D:4D ratio in relation to serum and urinary androgens and physical performance in the athletes.Methods: This cross-sectional study included 104 Swedish female Olympic athletes participating in power, endurance and technical sports and 117 sedentary controls. The 2D:4D ratio was calculated using direct digit measurements. Serum androgens and urinary androgen metabolites were analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The athletes performed standardized physical performance tests and body composition was established by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.Results: The 2D:4D ratio was significantly lower in the athletes compared with controls although serum testosterone levels were comparable between groups and within normal reference values. The 2D:4D ratio correlated negatively with urinary levels of testosterone glucuronide and 5α- and 5βAdiol-17G, whereas there were no correlations to serum androgen levels. Furthermore, the 2D:4D ratio correlated negatively with strength tests and positively with 3,000-meter running in the athletes.Conclusion: Female Olympic athletes had a lower 2D:4D ratio, possibly reflecting a higher prenatal androgen exposure, than sedentary controls. Furthermore, the 2D:4D ratio was related to urinary levels of androgen metabolites and physical performance in the athletes but not to serum androgen levels. It is suggested that the 2D:4D ratio could reflect androgen metabolism and may be of importance for sporting success in female athletes.
Highlights
Prenatal testosterone and estrogen levels are suggested to influence the formation of the second to fourth digit ratio (2D:4D ratio), with high environmental levels of androgens during fetal life being associated with a low 2D:4D ratio [1,2,3]
As expected, training hours/week was significantly higher among athletes compared to controls (Table 1)
Hormonal contraceptive use was similar between groups, but menstrual dysfunction was significantly more common among female athletes compared to controls [30]
Summary
Prenatal testosterone and estrogen levels are suggested to influence the formation of the second to fourth digit ratio (2D:4D ratio), with high environmental levels of androgens during fetal life being associated with a low 2D:4D ratio [1,2,3]. This concept has recently been debated [4,5,6,7]. Positive correlations between the 2D:4D ratio and physical fitness [25], and sporting ability [26] have been demonstrated in women taking part in leisure sports These reports are either based on rather small study groups and/or not including populations of Olympic athletes. We aimed to compare the 2D:4D ratio in female Olympic athletes with sedentary controls, and to investigate the 2D:4D ratio in relation to serum and urinary androgens and physical performance in the athletes
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