European Journal of Anatomy

Official Journal of The Spanish Society of Anatomy
Cover Volume 22 - Number 4
Eur J Anat, 22 (4): 317-322 (2018)

Association of the digit ratio (2D:4D) with sexually dimorphic morphological traits

Varvara Yu. Bakholdina, Alla A. Movsesian, Marina A. Negasheva

Department of Anthropology, Lomonosov State University, Moscow, Russian Federation 119234

ABSTRACT The length ratio of the second to the fourth finger (2D:4D) is a possible biomarker of prenatal sex hormone levels, which play a significant role in determining the sex-related body traits. The aim of this study was to assess the association between the 2D:4D ratio and morphological characteristics, related to sexual dimorphism. We analyzed a group of Russian males (N = 169) and females (N = 193) aged between 17 and 27 years (with mean ages of 18.6±1.50 and 18.9±1.85, respectively) for the association between the 2D:4D ratio and a wide range of morphological characteristics, some of which were considered in this aspect for the first time. The 2D:4D ratio in males was significantly lower than in females (p ˂ 0.000). A highly statistically significant correlation was found between 2D:4D and sexually dimorphic morphological traits in the total sample. The association of 2D:4D ratio with morphological signs of masculinity/femininity within male and female samples were revealed only as a trend, which was more distinct for the functional indicators (handgrip strength).

Keywords: Digit ratio â?? Sexual dimorphism â?? Morphological traits â?? Masculinity â?? Femininity

European Journal of anatomy
ISSN 2340-311X (Online)