Human Reproduction, Vol 13, 3000-3004, Copyright © 1998 by Oxford University Press
JT Manning, D Scutt, J Wilson and DI Lewis-Jones
The differentiation of the urinogenital system and the appendicular
skeleton in vertebrates is under the control of Hox genes. The common
control of digit and gonad differentiation raises the possibility that
patterns of digit formation may relate to spermatogenesis and hormonal
concentrations. This work was concerned with the ratio between the length
of the 2nd and 4th digit (2D:4D) in humans. We showed that (i) 2D:4D in
right and left hands has a sexually dimorphic pattern; in males mean 2D:4D
= 0.98, i.e. the 4th digit tended to be longer than the 2nd and in females
mean 2D:4D = 1.00, i.e. the 2nd and 4th digits tended to be of equal
length. The dimorphism is present from at least age 2 years and 2D:4D is
probably established in utero; (ii) high 2D:4D ratio in right hands was
associated with germ cell failure in men (P = 0.04); (iii) sperm number was
negatively related to 2D:4D in the right hand (P = 0.004); (iv) in men
testosterone concentrations were negatively related to right hand 2D:4D and
in women and men LH (right hand), oestrogen (right and left hands) and
prolactin (right hand) concentrations were positively correlated with 2D:4D
ratio and (v) 2D:4D ratio in right hands remained positively related to
luteinizing hormone and oestrogen after controlling for sex, age, height
and weight.
ARTICLES
The ratio of 2nd to 4th digit length: a predictor of sperm numbers and concentrations of testosterone, luteinizing hormone and oestrogen
Population Biology Research Group, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Liverpool, UK.
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