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The effects of sex, nation, ethnicity, age and self-reported pubertal development on participant-measured right-left 2D:4D (Dr-l) in the BBC internet study. J Biosoc Sci 2023; 55:383-395. [PMID: 35088686 DOI: 10.1017/s0021932022000049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Digit ratio (2D:4D) - a proxy for prenatal sex steroids - shows sex, nationality and ethnic differences and is linked to pubertal onset. It is unclear whether right-left 2D:4D (Dr-l) also correlates with prenatal sex steroids, as evidence of these differences has been less conclusive. The present study examined the effects of sex, nation, ethnicity, age and self-reported pubertal development (i.e. the rate of physical development and age at menarche [females] or first shave [males]) on Dr-l in a large online study (the BBC internet study). Digit lengths were self-measured in 201,865 adults (110,955 males) and the sample of nations included 41 countries. Participants reported the self-perceived rate of physical pubertal development on a five-point scale (from very slow to very fast) and provided information on the age at menarche or first shave. Adult (>17 years) males had lower Dr-l than females with weak effect size across 41 nations (males-females; d = -.065, p < .0001). There were sex and ethnicity effects on Dr-l across seven ethnic groups with males < females and lower Dr-l in Whites and Middle/Near Eastern participants compared to Asian, Black and Chinese respondents. Considering age effects, the authors focused on participants >12 years; there were stable sex differences and a weak positive effect of age on Dr-l. Dr-l showed a positive relationship with the rate of physical development and a negative relationship with age at menarche or first shave. Relationships were present in males and females with stronger effects in the latter. It is concluded that Dr-l shows a weak sex difference (males < females) independent of nation, ethnicity and age, and suggest that Dr-l is a proxy for prenatal sex steroids.
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Kasielska-Trojan A, Manning JT, Jabłkowski M, Białkowska-Warzecha J, Hirschberg AL, Antoszewski B. Digit ratios and their asymmetries as risk factors of developmental instability and hospitalization for COVID-19. Sci Rep 2022; 12:4573. [PMID: 35301404 PMCID: PMC8931101 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-08646-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 presents with mild symptoms in the majority of patients but in a minority it progresses to acute illness and hospitalization. Here we consider whether markers for prenatal sex hormones and postnatal stressors on developmental instability, i.e. digit ratios and their directional and unsigned asymmetries, are predictive of hospitalization. We focus on six ratios: 2D:3D; 2D:4D; 2D:5D; 3D:4D; 3D:5D; 4D:5D and compare hospitalized patient and control means for right, and left ratios, directional asymmetries (right–left) and unsigned asymmetries [|(right–left)|]. There were 54 patients and 100 controls. We found (i) patients differed in their digit ratios from controls (patients > controls) in all three ratios that included 5D (2D:5D, 3D:5D and 4D:5D) with small to medium effect sizes (d = 0.3 to 0.64), (ii) they did not differ in their directional asymmetries, and (iii) patients had greater |(right–left)| asymmetry than controls for 2D:4D (d = .74) , and all ratios that included 5D; 2D:5D (d = 0.66), 3D:5D (d = .79), 4D:5D (d = 0.47). The Composite Asymmetry of the two largest effects (2D:4D + 3D:5D) gave a patient and control difference with effect size d = 1.04. All patient versus control differences were independent of sex. We conclude that digit ratio patterns differ between patients and controls and this was most evident in ratios that included 5D. Large |(right–left)| asymmetries in the patients are likely to be a marker for postnatal stressors resulting in developmental perturbations and for potential severity of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Kasielska-Trojan
- Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Clinic, Institute of Surgery, Medical University of Lodz, Kopcinskiego 22, 90-153, Lodz, Poland.
| | - J T Manning
- Applied Sports, Technology, Exercise, and Medicine (A-STEM), Swansea University, Swansea, UK
| | - M Jabłkowski
- Department of Infectious and Liver Diseases, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - J Białkowska-Warzecha
- Department of Infectious and Liver Diseases, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - A L Hirschberg
- Department of Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - B Antoszewski
- Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Clinic, Institute of Surgery, Medical University of Lodz, Kopcinskiego 22, 90-153, Lodz, Poland
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Zhang J, Yang M, Luan P, Jia W, Liu Q, Ma Z, Dang J, Lu H, Ma Q, Wang Y, Mu C, Huo Z. Associations Between Cytochrome P450 (CYP) Gene Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms and Second-to-Fourth Digit Ratio in Chinese University Students. Med Sci Monit 2021; 27:e930591. [PMID: 33723203 PMCID: PMC7980499 DOI: 10.12659/msm.930591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2020] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cytochrome P450 (CYP) genes are necessary for the production or metabolism of fetal sex hormones during pregnancy. The second-to-fourth digit ratio (2D: 4D) is formed in the early stage of human fetal development and considered an indicator reflecting prenatal sex steroids levels. We explored the association between 2D: 4D and single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of CYP. MATERIAL AND METHODS Correlation analysis between 2D: 4D and 8 SNPs, rs2687133 (CPY3A7), rs7173655 (CYP11A1), rs1004467, rs17115149, and rs2486758 (CYP17A1), and rs4646, rs2255192, rs4275794 (CYP19A1), was performed using data from 426 female and 412 male Chinese university students. SNP genotyping was conducted using PCR. Digit lengths were photographed and measured by image processing software. RESULTS rs2486758 (CYP17A1) correlated with left hand 2D: 4D in men (P=0.026), and rs1004467 (CYP17A1) correlated with right hand 2D: 4D in men (P=0.008) and the whole population (P=0.032). In men, allele G rs1004467 decreased right hand 2D: 4D, while allele C of rs2486758 increased left hand 2D: 4D. In women, left hand 2D: 4D was higher in genotypes with allele A of SNP rs4646 (CYP19A1) under the dominant genetic model; female DR-L was higher in genotypes with allele T of rs17115149 (CYP11A1). SNPs rs2687133 (CYP3A7) and rs1004467 (CYP17A1) were significantly correlated with right hand 2D: 4D (P=0.0107). CONCLUSIONS SNPs rs1004467 and rs2486758 of CYP17A1 are significant in the relationship between 2D: 4D and CYP gene polymorphisms under different conditions. SNP interactions between CYP genes probably impact 2D: 4D. The correlation between 2D: 4D and some sex hormone-related diseases may be due to the effect of CYP variants on the 2 phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Fertility Preservation and Maintenance of Ministry of Education/Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics/Basic Medical College, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, P.R. China
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Cerebrocranial Diseases, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, P.R. China
| | - Mengyi Yang
- Key Laboratory of Fertility Preservation and Maintenance of Ministry of Education/Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics/Basic Medical College, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, P.R. China
| | - Pengfei Luan
- Key Laboratory of Fertility Preservation and Maintenance of Ministry of Education/Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics/Basic Medical College, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, P.R. China
| | - Wei Jia
- Key Laboratory of Fertility Preservation and Maintenance of Ministry of Education/Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics/Basic Medical College, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, P.R. China
| | - Qiujun Liu
- Key Laboratory of Fertility Preservation and Maintenance of Ministry of Education/Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics/Basic Medical College, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, P.R. China
| | - Zhanbing Ma
- Key Laboratory of Fertility Preservation and Maintenance of Ministry of Education/Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics/Basic Medical College, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, P.R. China
| | - Jie Dang
- Key Laboratory of Fertility Preservation and Maintenance of Ministry of Education/Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics/Basic Medical College, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, P.R. China
| | - Hong Lu
- Key Laboratory of Fertility Preservation and Maintenance of Ministry of Education/Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics/Basic Medical College, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, P.R. China
| | - Qian Ma
- Key Laboratory of Fertility Preservation and Maintenance of Ministry of Education/Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics/Basic Medical College, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, P.R. China
| | - Yanfeng Wang
- Key Laboratory of Fertility Preservation and Maintenance of Ministry of Education/Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics/Basic Medical College, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, P.R. China
| | - Chunlan Mu
- Key Laboratory of Fertility Preservation and Maintenance of Ministry of Education/Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics/Basic Medical College, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, P.R. China
| | - Zhenghao Huo
- Key Laboratory of Fertility Preservation and Maintenance of Ministry of Education/Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics/Basic Medical College, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, P.R. China
- Department of Biology, Gansu Medical College, Pingliang, Gansu, P.R. China
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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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