The digit ratio (2D:4D) in China: A meta‐analysis

Xu, Yin; Zheng, Yong

doi:10.1002/ajhb.22639

Cited by 82 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 45 publications

(74 reference statements)

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“…Studies on2D:4D haveused eitherdirectmeasurement(directly measuredfromthe hand) or indirect measurement (i.e., photocopies, scans, X-rays) to measuredigitratio.Althoughhigher2D:4Dandsmallerbutsignificant sex differences in 2D:4D in samples using direct digit measurement have been reported compared to samples using indirect digit measurement (Caswell&Manning,2009;Manning,Fink,Neave, & Caswell, 2005), Caswell and Manning suggested that the drawbacks of direct digit measurement can be countered if large numbers of participants are recruited and outliers of 2D:4D are removed.In addition, the finding of the current research showed that heterosexual men had a significantly lower 2D:4D than heterosexual women, which was consistent with previous studies (e.g., Grimbos et al, 2010;Hampson, Ellis, & Tenk, 2008). Moreover,themean2D:4Dinheterosexualmenandwomenfoundinthis studyweresimilartostudiesusingdirectmeasurementasreportedin a meta-analysis ofChinese 2D:4D (Xu &Zheng, 2015). These lines of evidence justify our use of self-measurement of 2D:4D.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

The Relationship Between Digit Ratio (2D:4D) and Sexual Orientation in Men from China

Zheng

2015

Arch Sex Behav

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We examined the relationship between 2D:4D digit ratio and sexual orientation in men from China and analyzed the influences of the components used to assess sexual orientation and the criteria used to classify individuals as homosexual on this relationship. A total of 309 male and 110 female participants took part in a web-based survey. Our results showed that heterosexual men had a significantly lower 2D:4D than heterosexual women and exclusively homosexual men had a significantly higher left 2D:4D than heterosexual men whereas only exclusively homosexual men had a significantly higher right 2D:4D than heterosexual men when sexual orientation was assessed via sexual attraction. The left 2D:4D showed a significant positive correlation with sexual identity, sexual attraction, and sexual behavior, and the right 2D:4D showed a significant positive correlation with sexual attraction. The effect sizes for differences in 2D:4D between homosexual and heterosexual men varied according to criteria used to classify individuals as homosexual and sexual orientation components; the more stringent the criteria (scores closer to the homosexual category), the larger the effect sizes; further, sexual attraction yielded the largest effect size. There were no significant effects of age and latitude on Chinese 2D:4D. This study contributes to the current understanding of the relationship between 2D:4D and male sexual orientation.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

The Relationship Between Digit Ratio (2D:4D) and Sexual Orientation in Men from China

Zheng

2015

Arch Sex Behav

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“…Evidence generally indicates that 2D/4D ratio of the right hand is lower in males compared with females among general population 41. However, the overall patterns of 2D/4D ratio may vary across age, sex, and hand 42.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Potential role of pre- and postnatal testosterone levels in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: is there a sex difference?

Wang¹,

Chou²,

Chou³

et al. 2017

NDT

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ObjectiveBoth prenatal testosterone (T) exposure and postnatal T levels have been associated with developing neural circuitry and behavioral systems. This study examined the potential correlation between pre- and postnatal T levels and behavioral and neurocognitive profiles of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).MethodsTwo hundred ADHD patients with a mean age of 8.7±2.0 years (158 boys and 42 girls) were recruited. The ratio of the length of the right index finger (2D) to that of the right ring finger (4D) (2D/4D ratio) served as a surrogate of prenatal T exposure, and postnatal T was determined using salivary T concentration. Behavioral symptoms were evaluated using the Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham – Version IV Scale for ADHD (SNAP-IV). Neurocognitive function was assessed using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children – Fourth Edition (WISC-IV) and Conners’ Continuous Performance Test (CPT).ResultsLower 2D/4D ratios were associated with comorbid disruptive behavior disorders (t=2.15, P=0.033) in all participants. Among the boys with ADHD, neither 2D/4D ratios nor salivary T levels were associated with behavioral symptoms or neurocognitive function. Among the girls with ADHD, the salivary T level was positively correlated with the Perceptual Reasoning Index of the WISC-IV (r=0.48, P=0.001) and the Confidence Index (r=0.37, P=0.017) and Omission Errors of the CPT (r=0.62, P<0.001).ConclusionFindings suggest that a higher prenatal T exposure is associated with a greater risk of developing disruptive behavior disorders, and T may exert differential neurocognitive effects between boys and girls with ADHD. However, the neurobiological mechanisms of T involved in the pathogenesis of ADHD warrant further investigation.

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“…3,11,12 Over the past few years, a body of work has arisen supporting a correlation between higher 2D:4D ratios and higher ratios of androgens to estrogens in the prenatal, and immediately postnatal, period (including in samples obtained from amniocenteses), 4,13,14 and specifically with prenatal Leydig cell function. 15 Beyond this period of susceptibility, while bone growth continues to be regulated by many factors including nutrition and hormonal influences, the 2D:4D ratio has been found to change only minimally, 16 appears stable with age, 17 and does not seem to be influenced with later regulatory periods such as puberty 18,19 or by adult testosterone levels. [20][21][22] Mechanistically, given reported anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects in animal models, 23,24 a higher androgen to estrogen ratio might have an organizing role in modulating downstream inflammatory responses.…”

Section: Ms Clinical Outcomesmentioning

confidence: 99%

The 2D:4D ratio, a proxy for prenatal androgen levels, differs in men with and without MS

et al. 2015

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The 2D:4D ratio, a proxy for prenatal androgen levels, differs in men with and without MS ABSTRACT Objective: To determine whether the 2D:4D ratio (ratio of the second and fourth digit lengths), a proxy for lower prenatal androgen to estrogen ratio, differs in men with and without multiple sclerosis (MS) using a case-control study design. Methods:We obtained 2 digital scans of the right hand for men with MS presenting to a scheduled clinic visit at a large MS referral center, and for men without autoimmune or endocrine diseases. All individuals were aged 18 to 65 years, right-handed, and reported no prior digit trauma. We calculated a mean 2D:4D ratio using digital calipers. In participants with MS, we assessed age at first MS symptoms, MS type, and the MS Severity Score; 51 had provided a testosterone level within 10 years of symptom onset. Our primary analysis was a cross-sectional comparison of the 2D:4D ratio between men with and without MS, using a 2-sample t test for independent samples assuming unequal variance.Results: In total, we scanned 137 men with MS and 145 men without MS. A statistically significant association between 2D:4D ratio and MS status was observed in the univariate logistic regression model (p , 0.05). These differences were not associated with age or race, which differed between the 2 groups. In participants with MS, the 2D:4D ratio was not correlated with MS type, age at first symptoms, or MS Severity Score (p . 0.15 for each), and it was not correlated with adult testosterone levels (r 5 0.06, p 5 0.68, n 5 51).Conclusions: During the prenatal period, low androgens could represent a risk factor for MS.

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The digit ratio (2D:4D) in China: A meta‐analysis

Cited by 82 publications

References 45 publications

The Relationship Between Digit Ratio (2D:4D) and Sexual Orientation in Men from China

The Relationship Between Digit Ratio (2D:4D) and Sexual Orientation in Men from China

Potential role of pre- and postnatal testosterone levels in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: is there a sex difference?

The 2D:4D ratio, a proxy for prenatal androgen levels, differs in men with and without MS

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