Abstract
The ratio between the length of second and fourth digits (2D:4D) is a putative biomarker for prenatal testosterone and estrogen exposure. The aim of the study was to examine the association between 2D:4D and women’s general and reproductive health. This analysis was conducted within a prospective pregnancy cohort study. The study population included 187 women. 2D:4D was measured directly in both hands using a digital caliper. Multivariable linear and logistic models were used to study the associations between digit ratio and the studied health characteristics. Mean age of the participants was 30.7 ± 4.9 years. The mean age at menarche was 12.9 ± 1.4 years. Right hand 2D:4D mean ± SD was 0.965 ± 0.03. Left hand 2D:4D mean ± SD was 0.956 ± 0.03. An association was found between right 2D:4D and age at menarche, with older age in women with 2D:4D ≥ mean versus 2D:4D < mean (13.2 ± 1.5 and 12.8 ± 1.3 respectively, b = 0.48, 95%CI:0.06–0.91) while controlling for ethnicity. Higher 2D:4D was also associated with heavier menses bleeding and dysmenorrhea. There is an association between 2D:4D and sub optimal reproductive characteristics, including later age at menarche, heavier menses bleeding and dysmenorrhea. These findings support the association between the intrauterine period and reproductive characteristics. Further studies are required to support our findings.
Highlights
The ratio between the length of second and fourth digits (2D:4D) is a putative biomarker for prenatal testosterone and estrogen exposure
Women were recruited at a nuchal translucency clinic at Soroka University Medical Center (SUMC) to which pregnant women attend at 11–13.5 gestational weeks for a nuchal translucency ultrasound, which is a screening test for major chromosomal and nuchal cord abnormalities
Right hand 2D:4D ranged between 0.852–1.064 with mean ± SD of 0.965 ± 0.03
Summary
The ratio between the length of second and fourth digits (2D:4D) is a putative biomarker for prenatal testosterone and estrogen exposure. There is an association between 2D:4D and sub optimal reproductive characteristics, including later age at menarche, heavier menses bleeding and dysmenorrhea. These findings support the association between the intrauterine period and reproductive characteristics. It was suggested that there may be an association between prenatal hormonal function and digit formation, and 2D:4D was proposed as an indicator of first trimester testosterone and estrogen levels, reflecting the Hox genes’ action on differentiation[9,10]. As for general health characteristics, 2D:4D was associated with various cancers[32,33], idiopathic pulmonary hypertension[34] and other morbidities such as systemic lupus erythematosus[35], autism spectrum disorders[36], and congenital adrenal hyperplasia[37,38]
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