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. 2010 Dec 29:8:156.
doi: 10.1186/1477-7827-8-156.

Digit ratios by computer-assisted analysis confirm lack of anatomical evidence of prenatal androgen exposure in clinical phenotypes of polycystic ovary syndrome

Marla E Lujan  1 , Amanda J Podolski, Donna R Chizen, Denis C Lehotay, Roger A Pierson
Affiliations

Digit ratios by computer-assisted analysis confirm lack of anatomical evidence of prenatal androgen exposure in clinical phenotypes of polycystic ovary syndrome

Marla E Lujan et al. Reprod Biol Endocrinol. .

Abstract

Background: We recently showed that women with four clinical phenotypes of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) do not demonstrate anatomical evidence of elevated prenatal androgen exposure as judged by a lower ratio of the index (2D) to ring (4D) finger. However, those findings conflicted with a previous study where women with PCOS had lower right hand 2D:4D compared to healthy female controls. Both these studies used Vernier calipers to measure finger lengths--a method recently shown to be less reliable at obtaining finger length measurements than computer-assisted analysis.

Methods: Ninety-six women diagnosed with PCOS according to the 2003 Rotterdam criteria had their finger lengths measured with computer-assisted analysis. Participants were categorized into four recognized phenotypes of PCOS and their 2D:4D compared to healthy female controls (n = 48) and men (n = 50).

Results: Digit ratios assessed by computer-assisted analysis in women with PCOS did not differ from female controls, but were significantly lower in men. When subjects were stratified by PCOS phenotype, 2D:4D did not differ among phenotypes or when compared to female controls.

Conclusion: Computer-assisted measurements validated that digit ratios of women with PCOS do not show anatomical evidence of increased prenatal androgen exposure.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Digit ratios of women with PCOS, female controls, and men. Digit ratios did not differ between women with PCOS and female controls (NS; not significant). Digit ratios in men were lower than women with PCOS (p < 0.0001) and female controls (p < 0.001). All data points represent Mean ± SD.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Digit ratios of women with four clinical phenotypes of PCOS, female controls, and men. Digit ratios did not differ between the various phenotypes of PCOS and female controls. Digit ratios in men were lower than PCOS groups (p < 0.03) and female controls (p < 0.01). All data points represent Mean ± SD. Assignment of the same letter represents no significant difference between groups.
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