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Hum. Reprod. Advance Access published online on July 8, 2005
Human Reproduction, doi:10.1093/humrep/dei170
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© The Author 2005. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology. All rights reserved.
Received April 15, 2005
Revised May 25, 2005
Accepted May 31, 2005

Article

A study of finger lengths, semen quality and sex hormones in 360 young men from the general Danish population

A.K. Bang 1, E. Carlsen 1, M. Holm 1, J.H. Petersen 2, N.E. Skakkebæk 1, and N. Jørgensen 1*

1 University Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, The Juliane Marie Centre, Copenhagen, Denmark
2 University Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, The Juliane Marie Centre, Department of Biostatistics, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark

* To whom correspondence should be addressed.
N. Jørgensen, E-mail: niels.joergensen{at}rh.hosp.dk


  Abstract

BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that finger length may correlate with function or disorders of the male reproductive system. This is based on the HOXA and HOXD genes’ common embryological control of finger development and differentiation of the genital bud. The objective of this study was to explore the association between the ratio of 2nd to 4th finger length (2D:4D ratio) and testis function in a sample of young Danish men from the general population. METHODS: Semen samples and finger measurements were obtained from a total of 360 young Danish men in addition to blood samples for sex hormone analysis to describe the possible association between 2D:4D and semen and sex-hormone parameters. RESULTS: A statistically significant inverse association with the 2D:4D was found only in relation to hormone levels of FSH in the group of young men with a 2D:4D > 1 (P = 0.036) and a direct association with the total sperm count in the group of young men with a 2D:4D ≤ 1 (P = 0.045). CONCLUSION: The statistically significant results may be ‘false positives’ (type I error) rather than representing true associations. This relatively large study of young, normal Danish men shows no reliable association between 2D:4D finger ratio and testicular function. Measurements of finger lengths do not have the power to predict the testicular function of adult men.

Keywords: finger ratio/HOX genes/semen quality/sex hormones/testicular dysgenesis syndrome.
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M. Voracek and S. G. Dressler
High (feminized) digit ratio (2D : 4D) in Danish men: a question of measurement method?
Hum. Reprod., May 1, 2006; 21(5): 1329 - 1331.
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Home page
 Hum ReprodHome page
N. Jorgensen, A. K. Bang, E. Carlsen, M. Holm, J. H. Petersen, and N. E. Skakkebaek
Reply: A study of finger lengths, semen quality and sex hormones in 360 young men from the general Danish population
Hum. Reprod., May 1, 2006; 21(5): 1331 - 1332.
[Full Text] [PDF]


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