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Ernsten L, Körner LM, Heil M, Schaal NK. The association between 2D:4D digit ratio and sex-typed play in children with and without siblings. Sci Rep 2024; 14:15231. [PMID: 38956189 PMCID: PMC11219774 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-65739-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024] Open
Abstract
The 2D:4D digit ratio is commonly used as a surrogate possibly reflecting prenatal testosterone levels. Indirect evidence comes from studies investigating the association between 2D:4D and human characteristics that likely relate to prenatal testosterone. In children, sex-typed play reveals large sex differences early in development and an influence of prenatal testosterone is likely. Findings on the association between 2D:4D and children's sex-typed play are heterogeneous and other influences on the development of sex-typed play have been suggested, most of all social influences like siblings, their sex and birth order. The current study examined the association between right and left 2D:4D, a proposed surrogate for prenatal testosterone exposure, which was assessed in right and left hands of N = 505 6-month-old children, and sex-typed play behavior, which was evaluated 3.5 years later using the Pre-School Activities Inventory (PSAI), and the influence of siblings. To capture differential effects of siblings' sex and birth order, dummy-coded variables were used reflecting having no siblings as well as older or younger sisters or brothers. Multiple regression models were used to investigate the association between PSAI scores and sex, right and left 2D:4D, being a singleton as well as having an older or younger sister or brother. It was shown that sex and having an older brother were significant predictors for sex-typed play. Effects were further disentangled by conducting separate regression analyses in boys and girls. In boys, a significant association between PSAI scores and having an older brother was revealed, in girls, no significant associations were found. Results are discussed highlighting the non-significant association between 2D:4D and children's sex-typed play, which weakens the applicability of 2D:4D as a surrogate reflecting influences of prenatal T. Further, the importance of social factors like siblings on children's sex-typed play is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luisa Ernsten
- Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Institute of Experimental Psychology, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany.
| | - Lisa M Körner
- Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Institute of Experimental Psychology, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
- Department of General Pediatrics, Neonatology and Pediatric Cardiology, University Children's Hospital, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Martin Heil
- Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Institute of Experimental Psychology, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Nora K Schaal
- Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Institute of Experimental Psychology, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
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Zhou J, Wang L, Zhu D, Gong X. Social Anxiety and Peer Victimization and Aggression: Examining Reciprocal Trait-State Effects among Early Adolescents. J Youth Adolesc 2024; 53:701-717. [PMID: 38097883 DOI: 10.1007/s10964-023-01920-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
As peer relationships become paramount during early adolescence, there's a normative rise in social anxiety, coinciding with a peak in peer victimization and aggression. Although previous studies have suggested reciprocal associations between changes in social anxiety and adolescent peer victimization and aggression, the mechanics of these associations at the personal trait and time-varying state levels remains unclear. This study examined the longitudinal relations between social anxiety and adolescent peer victimization and aggression by disentangling between-person trait differences from within-person state processes. A total of 4731 Chinese early adolescents (44.9% girls; M age = 10.91 years, SD = 0.72) participated in a four-wave longitudinal study with 6-month intervals. Random-intercept cross-lagged panel model (RI-CLPM) was applied. The results revealed higher levels of social anxiety are associated with more peer victimization and aggression at the between-person trait level. At the within-person state level, adolescent social anxiety, and adolescent physical victimization and physical aggression, reciprocally predicted each other. Relational victimization significantly predicted an increase of social anxiety, but not vice versa. Social anxiety positively predicted relational aggression over time, whereas the effect of relational aggression on social anxiety was only observed at the initial stage of early adolescence. These findings highlight that various types of victimization and aggression might exhibit unique reciprocal associations with social anxiety. Distinguishing between the within-person state and between-person trait effects is crucial in research that informs the co-development of adolescent peer victimization, aggression, and social anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianhua Zhou
- School of Psychology, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou, China.
| | - Li'an Wang
- School of Psychology, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Dandan Zhu
- School of Psychology, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xue Gong
- Department of Psychology, Normal College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China.
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Aslan Genç H, Özcan Morey A. Lower digit length ratio and aggression in adolescents and young adults with boxer's fracture: A case-control study. Aggress Behav 2023; 49:679-686. [PMID: 37467363 DOI: 10.1002/ab.22106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
Recent evidence shows that a lower second-to-fourth digit ratio (2D:4D), which is a sexually dimorphic trait and the indicator of prenatal testosterone exposure, may be associated with aggressive behaviors. In this cross-sectional, case-control study, we investigated: (1) Are the aggression and impulsivity levels and emotional problems higher? (2) Is the 2D:4D ratio lower in adolescents and young adults who presented with a fifth metacarpal neck fracture (boxer's fracture) compared to controls? (3) Is the digit ratio correlated with aggressive measures in individuals with a fifth metacarpal neck fracture? Seventy-one consecutive patients presented with a fifth metacarpal neck fracture within the age range of 11-25 years old comprised the study group. The control group consisted of 71 age and sex-matched subjects without a history of aggression-related injury. The aggression, impulsiveness, and psychosocial well-being were measured by self-reported questionnaires. 2D:4D was measured by conventional radiography. The 2D:4D ratio was similar between groups, however, when the analyses were conducted separately for sex, females in the study group showed lower 2D:4D than females in the control group (p = 0.001). The aggression level of the study group, measured by the Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire was higher than the control group (p = 0.014). The impulsiveness scores on the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11 were similar (p = 0.60) and the total difficulty score on the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire was higher in the study group (p = 0.009). A lower 2D:4D ratio significantly predicted verbal and total aggression scores (p = 0.036, p = 0.032, respectively). Our findings suggest that females with a history of aggression-related injury have lower 2D:4D, and a lower 2D:4D is correlated with higher aggression levels in both sexes. Understanding and addressing aggression in these patients may help prevent further self-inflicted injuries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Herdem Aslan Genç
- Department of Psychiatry, Koç University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
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Lenz B, Gerhardt S, Boroumand-Jazi R, Eichler A, Buchholz VN, Fasching PA, Kornhuber J, Banaschewski T, Flor H, Guldner S, Prignitz M, Nees F. Sex-specific association between prenatal androgenization (second-to-fourth digit length ratio) and frontal brain volumes in adolescents. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2023; 273:1243-1254. [PMID: 36449103 PMCID: PMC10449726 DOI: 10.1007/s00406-022-01515-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Prenatal androgenization associates sex-dependently with behavior and mental health in adolescence and adulthood, including risk-taking, emotionality, substance use, and depression. However, still little is known on how it affects underlying neural correlates, like frontal brain control regions. Thus, we tested whether prenatal androgen load is sex-dependently related to frontal cortex volumes in a sex-balanced adolescent sample. In a cross-sectional magnetic resonance imaging study, we examined 61 adolescents (28 males, 33 females; aged 14 or 16 years) and analyzed associations of frontal brain region volumes with the second-to-fourth digit length ratio (2D:4D), an established marker for prenatal androgenization, using voxel-based morphometry in a region-of-interest approach. Lower 2D:4D (indicative of higher prenatal androgen load) correlated significantly with smaller volumes of the right anterior cingulate cortex (r-ACC; β = 0.45) in male adolescents and with larger volumes of the left inferior frontal gyrus orbital part (l-IFGorb; β = - 0.38) in female adolescents. The regression slopes of 2D:4D on the r-ACC also differed significantly between males and females. The study provides novel evidence that prenatal androgenization may influence the development of the frontal brain in a sex- and frontal brain region-specific manner. These effects might contribute to the well-known sex differences in risk-taking, emotionality, substance use, and depression. Future research is needed to elucidate the role of prenatal androgenization within the biopsychosocial model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernd Lenz
- Department of Addictive Behavior and Addiction Medicine, Central Institute of Mental Health (CIMH), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany.
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Sarah Gerhardt
- Department of Addictive Behavior and Addiction Medicine, Central Institute of Mental Health (CIMH), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Rafat Boroumand-Jazi
- Department of Addictive Behavior and Addiction Medicine, Central Institute of Mental Health (CIMH), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Anna Eichler
- Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Verena Nadine Buchholz
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Peter A Fasching
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Johannes Kornhuber
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Tobias Banaschewski
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health (CIMH), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Herta Flor
- Institute of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health (CIMH), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Stella Guldner
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health (CIMH), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
- Institute of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health (CIMH), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Maren Prignitz
- Institute of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health (CIMH), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Frauke Nees
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health (CIMH), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
- Institute of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health (CIMH), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University Medical Center Schleswig Holstein, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
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Eichler A, Kaufmann F, Titzmann A, Fasching PA, Beckmann MW, Gerlach J, Kratz O, Moll GH, Buchholz VN, Kornhuber J, Lenz B. 2D:4D biomarker reliability and validity in a within-subject pregnancy-childhood-adolescence cohort. Early Hum Dev 2023; 181:105776. [PMID: 37084692 DOI: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2023.105776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A lot of studies use the second-to-fourth digit length ratio (2D:4D) as a biomarker for intrauterine androgen load to predict behavioral and mental health problems. Thus, knowledge of 2D:4D's metric properties, namely reliability and validity, is essential. METHOD 2D:4D handscans were available from 149 adolescents (M = 13.32 years, SD = 0.35) and their mothers. For 88 adolescents, there were also primary-school age handscans (M = 7.87 years, SD = 0.68). Prenatal risks for the 1st to 3rd trimesters were recorded during the 3rd trimester of pregnancy (alcohol exposition: meconium biomarker and maternal self-report; nicotine exposition: maternal self-report; maternal depressive symptoms and subjective stress: questionnaires). RESULTS The 2D:4D ratio was highly stable from childhood to early adolescence. However, both developmental and sex effects were present: The 2D:4D ratio increased with age and was higher in adolescent girls vs. boys. Significant 2D:4D mother-child associations were found for girls. Significant main effects could be found for the prenatal risk factors alcohol (self-report) and nicotine consumption. CONCLUSION In line with earlier studies, the 2D:4D biomarker proved to be an inter-individually stable measure with an intra-individual increase from childhood to early adolescence. Sex differences in adolescence and associations with maternal prenatal health behaviour underline the validity of the biomarker. Findings on heritability emphasize the importance of interpreting 2D:4D results in a sex-specific manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Eichler
- Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Univesität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Franziska Kaufmann
- Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Univesität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Adriana Titzmann
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Univesität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Peter A Fasching
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Univesität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Matthias W Beckmann
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Univesität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Jennifer Gerlach
- Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Univesität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Oliver Kratz
- Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Univesität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Gunther H Moll
- Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Univesität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Verena N Buchholz
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Univesität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Johannes Kornhuber
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Univesität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Bernd Lenz
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Univesität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany; Department of Addictive Behavior and Addiction Medicine, Central Institute of Mental Health (CIMH), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
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Perez KL, Boisvert DL, Cooke EM, Connolly EJ, Wells J, Lewis RH, Woeckener M, Armstrong TA. The association between the 2D:4D ratio and psychopathic characteristics. Heliyon 2022; 8:e12171. [PMID: 36582696 PMCID: PMC9792753 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e12171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Prior research has identified relations between prenatal testosterone exposure and various antisocial and criminal behaviors. However, less is known about the association between prenatal testosterone exposure and personality traits, such as psychopathy. This study used self-report and biometric data from a sample of undergraduates (n = 491) at a large southwestern university to examine the association between prenatal testosterone exposure (measured by the 2D:4D ratio) and three dimensions of psychopathy (i.e., callousness, egocentricity, and antisocial behavior). Analyses were stratified by sex to explore sex-specific biological underpinnings of psychopathy in young adulthood. Results showed that males scored significantly higher in psychopathic traits and reported significantly lower 2D:4D ratios, compared to females. Additionally, 2D:4D ratios were negatively associated with egocentricity in males, but not females. These findings contribute to a growing literature on the organizational effects that prenatal testosterone exposure may have on the development of different dimensions of psychopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine L. Perez
- Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology, Sam Houston State University, United States
- Corresponding author.
| | - Danielle L. Boisvert
- Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology, Sam Houston State University, United States
| | - Eric M. Cooke
- Criminal Justice Program, Bowling Green State University, United States
| | - Eric J. Connolly
- Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology, Sam Houston State University, United States
| | - Jessica Wells
- Department of Criminal Justice, Boise State University, United States
| | - Richard H. Lewis
- School of Criminal Justice and Criminology, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, United States
| | - Matthias Woeckener
- Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology, Sam Houston State University, United States
| | - Todd A. Armstrong
- School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, University of Nebraska Omaha, United States
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Erdoğan A, Özge B, Kopan M, Aktan Y, Kulaksızoğlu B. Second to fourth digit ratio (2D:4D), impulsivity and aggression levels in patients with opiate use disorder and alcohol use disorder. JOURNAL OF SUBSTANCE USE 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/14659891.2022.2098850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ali Erdoğan
- Department of Psychiatry, Akdeniz University Medical School, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Başak Özge
- Department of Psychiatry, Akdeniz University Medical School, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Metehan Kopan
- Department of Psychiatry, Akdeniz University Medical School, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Yiğitcan Aktan
- Department of Psychiatry, Akdeniz University Medical School, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Burak Kulaksızoğlu
- Department of Psychiatry, Akdeniz University Medical School, Antalya, Turkey
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Babarro I, Andiarena A, Fano E, García-Baquero G, Lebeña A, Arranz-Freijo EB, Ibarluzea J. Do prepubertal hormones, 2D:4D index and psychosocial context jointly explain 11-year-old preadolescents' involvement in bullying? Biol Psychol 2022; 172:108379. [PMID: 35690279 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2022.108379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bullying is a type of aggressive behavior that occurs repeatedly and intentionally in school environments and where there is a power imbalance. The main objective of this study was to analyze the association that hormones and the psychosocial context jointly have with bullying behavior. METHOD Participants were 302 11-year-old preadolescents from the Gipuzkoan cohort of the INMA Project. Bullying was assessed using the Olweus Bully/victim Questionnaire. Prenatal sexual hormones were assessed by calculating 2D:4D ratio and in order to measure prepubertal testosterone and cortisol levels saliva samples were collected within a week of each other. Additionally, various psychosocial factors were evaluated: executive function, family context, school environment and social context. To analyze our complex hypothesis, six metamodels were tested using structural equation modeling. RESULTS In relation to victims, results showed that victimization was related to worse school environment' perception in boys, and higher stress and conflict in the family in girls. In the case of their involvement in bullying as a bully, lower salivary cortisol levels, worse school environment' perception and lower peers and social support was related to being more frequently involved as a bully in boys, while having more family stress and conflict was related with being a bully in girls. CONCLUSIONS This approach makes it possible not only to explore the different biological and psychosocial factors affect bullying behavior, but also to explore associations between the predictor variables.
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Affiliation(s)
- Izaro Babarro
- Faculty of Psychology of the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 20018 Donostia/San Sebastian, Spain; Biodonostia Health Research Institute, Group of Environmental Epidemiology and Child Development, 20014 Donostia/San Sebastian, Spain.
| | - Ainara Andiarena
- Faculty of Psychology of the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 20018 Donostia/San Sebastian, Spain; Biodonostia Health Research Institute, Group of Environmental Epidemiology and Child Development, 20014 Donostia/San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Eduardo Fano
- Faculty of Psychology of the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 20018 Donostia/San Sebastian, Spain; Biodonostia Health Research Institute, Group of Environmental Epidemiology and Child Development, 20014 Donostia/San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Gonzalo García-Baquero
- Biodonostia Health Research Institute, Group of Environmental Epidemiology and Child Development, 20014 Donostia/San Sebastian, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Andrea Lebeña
- University of Linköping, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Science, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Enrique B Arranz-Freijo
- Faculty of Psychology of the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 20018 Donostia/San Sebastian, Spain; Biodonostia Health Research Institute, Group of Environmental Epidemiology and Child Development, 20014 Donostia/San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Jesus Ibarluzea
- Faculty of Psychology of the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 20018 Donostia/San Sebastian, Spain; Biodonostia Health Research Institute, Group of Environmental Epidemiology and Child Development, 20014 Donostia/San Sebastian, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain; Ministry of Health of the Basque Government, Sub-Directorate for Public Health and Addictions of Gipuzkoa, 20013 Donostia/San Sebastian, Spain
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Crespi B. Variation among human populations in endometriosis and PCOS A test of the inverse comorbidity model. Evol Med Public Health 2021; 9:295-310. [PMID: 34659773 PMCID: PMC8514856 DOI: 10.1093/emph/eoab029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Evidence linking endometriosis to low prenatal testosterone, and evidence that risk of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with high prenatal testosterone, have motivated the hypothesis that endometriosis and PCOS exhibit inverse comorbidity. The inverse comorbidity hypothesis predicts that populations exhibiting higher prevalence of one disorder should show lower prevalence of the other. To test this prediction, data were compiled from the literature on the prevalence of endometriosis and PCOS, levels of serum testosterone in women during pregnancy and digit ratios as indicators of prenatal testosterone, in relation to variation in inferred or observed population ancestries. Published studies indicate that rates of endometriosis are highest in women from Asian populations, intermediate in women from European populations and lowest in women from African populations (i.e. with inferred or observed African ancestry); by contrast, rates of PCOS show evidence of being lowest in Asian women, intermediate in Europeans and highest in individuals from African populations. Women from African populations also show higher serum testosterone during pregnancy (which may increase PCOS risk, and decrease endometriosis risk, in daughters), and higher prenatal testosterone (as indicated by digit ratios), than European women. These results are subject to caveats involving ascertainment biases, socioeconomic, cultural and historical effects on diagnoses, data quality, uncertainties regarding the genetic and environmental bases of population differences and population variation in the causes and symptoms of PCOS and endometriosis. Despite such reservations, the findings provide convergent, preliminary support for the inverse comorbidity model, and they should motivate further tests of its predictions. Lay Summary: Given that endometriosis risk and risk of polycystic ovary syndrome show evidence of having genetically, developmentally, and physiologically opposite causes, they should also show opposite patterns of prevalence within populations: where one is more common, the other should be more rare. This hypothesis is supported by data from studies of variation among populations in rates of endometriosis and PCOS and studies of variation among populations in levels of prenatal testosterone, which mediaterisks of both conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernard Crespi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
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Second to fourth (2D:4D) digit ratio and their relationships among a mother and child population in Ghana. Sci Rep 2021; 11:13028. [PMID: 34158576 PMCID: PMC8219683 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-92358-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The study aimed to determine the relationship between digit ratios among a mother–child population in Ghana. This was a cross-sectional study from December 2020 to April 2021 involving 272 mothers, their daughters (n = 132) and their sons (n = 140). The right (2D:4DR) and the left (2D:4DL) digit ratios were measured using computer-assisted analysis. The data were analysed in SPSS (v23) and GraphPad Prism (v8) at an alpha value of 0.05. The mean ± SD age of the mothers was 23.9 ± 3.67 years while the median (IQR) age of daughters was 116(54–240) days and sons, 134(54–240) days. The mean ± SD 2D:4DR were 0.94 ± 0.04, 0.91 ± 0.04 and 0.90 ± 0.04 respectively for mothers, daughters and sons. The mean ± SD 2D:4DL was 0.93 ± 0.04, for mothers, 0.92 ± 0.05 for daughters and 0.92 ± 0.05 for sons. The daughters and sons showed leftward asymmetry while the mothers showed rightward asymmetry in digit ratios. The 2D:4DR of sons was significantly lower than daughters (P = 0.031). There were negative correlations between the 2D:4DL and age of daughters (r = −0.182, P = 0.043) and sons (r = −0.221, P = 0.012). The 2D:4DR of mothers was positively correlated with that of daughters (r = 0.332, P = 0.000) and that of sons (r = 0.233, P = 0.008). There are significant relationships between digit ratios in a mother–child population.
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Butovskaya M, Burkova V, Apalkova Y, Dronova D, Rostovtseva V, Karelin D, Mkrtchyan R, Negasheva M, Batsevich V. Sex, population origin, age and average digit length as predictors of digit ratio in three large world populations. Sci Rep 2021; 11:8157. [PMID: 33854119 PMCID: PMC8046776 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-87394-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently, a number of authors have claimed that sexual dimorphism in the second-to-fourth digit ratio (2D:4D) is simply dependent on digit length and is an artifact of allometry. The goal of our study is to verify the validity of these assumptions. The study sample comprised 7,582 individuals (3,802 men and 3,780 women) from three large world populations: Europeans (n = 3043), East Africans (n = 2844), and Central Asians (n = 1695). The lengths of the second and fourth digits on both hands were measured. Digit ratios were computed according to standard procedures. Analyses were conducted separately for each hand for the whole sample and in succession for the three large populations. Additionally, we separately tested four age cohorts (≤ 13, 14-18, 19-30, and 31 ≥ years) to test the effect of developmental allometry. The second and fourth digits showed strong positive linear relationships on both hands, and demonstrated an increase with age; digit length in women from the youngest age cohort was longer or equal to that of men, and shorter than men in older age cohorts. However, the 2D:4D magnitude and its sexual dimorphism remained stable throughout the ontogeny. To test for an allometric effect on 2D:4D, the average digit lengths were calculated. Both sex and population origin were permanent reliable predictors of 2D:4D, whereas average digit length was not. Height was applied as another measure of allometric effect on the limited sample (≤ 30 years) from the European population, along with sex and age. No allometric effect was observed in this case. We conclude that sex differences in 2D:4D are not an artifact of allometry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Butovskaya
- Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninsky pr., 32a, Moscow, Russia, 119991.
- National Research University Higher School of Economics, Moscow, Russia.
- Russian State University for the Humanities, Moscow, Russia.
| | - Valentina Burkova
- Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninsky pr., 32a, Moscow, Russia, 119991
- National Research University Higher School of Economics, Moscow, Russia
| | - Yulia Apalkova
- Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninsky pr., 32a, Moscow, Russia, 119991
| | - Daria Dronova
- Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninsky pr., 32a, Moscow, Russia, 119991
| | - Victoria Rostovtseva
- Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninsky pr., 32a, Moscow, Russia, 119991
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Butovskaya M, Rostovtseva V, Butovskaya P, Burkova V, Dronova D, Filatova V, Sukhodolskaya E, Vasiliev V, Mesa T, Rosa A, Lazebny O. Oxytocin receptor gene polymorphism (rs53576) and digit ratio associates with aggression: comparison in seven ethnic groups. J Physiol Anthropol 2020; 39:20. [PMID: 32795360 PMCID: PMC7427763 DOI: 10.1186/s40101-020-00232-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The specific role of the oxytocin receptor (OXTR) gene polymorphisms in emotional support seeking, related to social norms and culturally normative behavior, has been discussed in several studies. Evidence on the association between aggression and OXTR polymorphisms has also been reported. The goal of the current study was to analyze the effect of the OXTR rs53576 polymorphism, prenatal testosterone effect (second-to-fourth digit ratio, or 2D:4D), and culture on aggression assessed with the Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire (BPAQ). Methods The data were collected in Russia and Tanzania and included seven ethnic groups of European, Asian, and African origin. The total sample included 1705 adults (837 males, 868 females). All the subjects were evaluated with the BPAQ. As a measure of prenatal androgenization, the second and fourth digits were measured directly from hand, and the digit ratios were calculated. All the participants provided buccal samples, from which genomic DNA was extracted, and the OXTR gene rs53576 polymorphism was genotyped. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 23.0; the alpha level for all analyses was set at 0.05. Results The ethnic group factor was the most significant predictor of ratings on BPAQ (medium effect size for physical aggression, anger and hostility scales, and low for verbal aggression). To study the effect of sex, the OXTR polymorphism, and prenatal androgenization, we conducted the z-score transformation for BPAQ scales and 2D:4D for each ethnic group and pooled these data into new z-score variables. According to the GLM analysis after leveling the effects of culture (z-transformation), all four scales of BPAQ demonstrated association with sex (main effects), with men scoring higher on physical and verbal aggression and women scoring higher on anger and hostility. Anger and hostility scales were also associated with OXTR polymorphism and 2D:4D of the right hand. The lowest levels of anger and hostility were observed in individuals with the AA genotype, especially in men. Conclusions Our data suggest that both oxytocin (OXTR gene polymorphism) and fetal testosterone (2D:4D) may significantly affect emotional (anger) and cognitive (hostility) aggression in humans, given the leveling the role of culture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Butovskaya
- Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninsky Prospect 32a, 119991, Moscow, Russia. .,National Research University Higher School of Economics, Moscow, Russia.
| | - Victoria Rostovtseva
- Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninsky Prospect 32a, 119991, Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Valentina Burkova
- Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninsky Prospect 32a, 119991, Moscow, Russia.,National Research University Higher School of Economics, Moscow, Russia
| | - Daria Dronova
- Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninsky Prospect 32a, 119991, Moscow, Russia
| | - Vasilisa Filatova
- Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninsky Prospect 32a, 119991, Moscow, Russia
| | - Eugenia Sukhodolskaya
- Federal Budget Institution of Science "Central Research Institute of Epidemiology" of The Federal Service on Customers' Rights Protection and Human Well-being Surveillance, Moscow, Russia
| | - Vasiliy Vasiliev
- Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Tania Mesa
- Secció de Zoologia i Antropologia Biològica, Departament de Biologia Evolutiva, Ecologia i Ciències Ambientals, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Araceli Rosa
- Secció de Zoologia i Antropologia Biològica, Departament de Biologia Evolutiva, Ecologia i Ciències Ambientals, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Spain.,Institut de Biomedicina de la Universitat de Barcelona (IBUB), Barcelona, Spain.,Centre for Biomedical Research Network on Mental Health (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Oleg Lazebny
- Koltzov Institute of Developmental Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
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Kowal M, Sorokowski P, Żelaźniewicz A, Nowak J, Orzechowski S, Żurek G, Żurek A, Juszkiewicz A, Wojtycka L, Sieniuć W, Poniatowska M, Tarnowska K, Kowalska K, Drabik K, Łukaszek P, Krawczyk K, Stefaniak T, Danek N. No relationship between the digit ratios (2D:4D) and salivary testosterone change: Study on men under an acute exercise. Sci Rep 2020; 10:10068. [PMID: 32572079 PMCID: PMC7308391 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-66915-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2019] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The digit ratio (2D:4D) is said to be a potential marker of exposure to prenatal sex steroids. Some studies suggest that the 2D:4D is also linked with the testosterone response to challenging situations due to organizational effect of prenatal hormonal milieu on adult endocrine functioning. However, up to date, there were only four studies (conducted on small samples) that examined the 2D:4D and the testosterone response to a challenging situation (i.e. physical exertion or aggressive context). Here, we examined the relationship between the 2D:4D and the testosterone change under an acute exercise among 97 men. We found that the digit ratios (the right 2D:4D, the left 2D:4D, and the right minus left 2D:4D) were neither predictors of pre-exercise testosterone, nor the change in testosterone level after a cycling task. Our results add a contradictory to previous studies evidence in a discussion on the links of the 2D:4D and the testosterone change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Kowal
- Institute of Psychology, University of Wrocław, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Piotr Sorokowski
- Institute of Psychology, University of Wrocław, Wrocław, Poland.
| | | | - Judyta Nowak
- Department of Human Biology, University of Wrocław, Wrocław, Poland
| | | | - Grzegorz Żurek
- University School of Physical Education in Wrocław, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Alina Żurek
- Institute of Psychology, University of Wrocław, Wrocław, Poland
| | | | - Lidia Wojtycka
- Institute of Psychology, University of Wrocław, Wrocław, Poland
| | | | | | | | - Kaja Kowalska
- Institute of Psychology, University of Wrocław, Wrocław, Poland
| | | | | | | | | | - Natalia Danek
- University School of Physical Education in Wrocław, Wrocław, Poland
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