Androgenization In Utero

Abstract

Digit Ratio or 2D:4D finger length ratio is considered as a putative marker for prenatal androgen exposure. Digit ratio is sexually dimorphic and thought to be fixed at early age and remain constant for life. There is considerable overlapping of digit ratio in different ethnic population and males tend to have smaller ratio than female with a greater prominence of effect in right hand. Digit ratio has been found to have association with many physiological and psychological parameters. Masculinity, running ability, Soccer ability , Running speed , Myocardial infarction ,Hypertension, Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and Coronary artery diseases (CAD) through surrogate markers . Our study explores the effect of prenatal androgen exposure through its marker digit ratio on normal cardiac and vascular function. newlineMaterial and Methods: newlineStudy was conducted in the Department of Physiology, Mayo Institute of Medical Sciences, Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh with assistance and supervision from the Department of Physiology National Institute of Medical Sciences and Research , Nims University Jaipur, Rajasthan. Total 244 subjects (188 males and 56 females) were incorporated after screening as per inclusion and exclusion Criteria. Four limb blood Pressure, including Aortic Pressure, Pulse Wave velocity and Augmentation Index was recorded with periscope vascular analyser. Exercise Capacity and METS achieved was observed with cardiac treadmill test. Pre and Post exercise blood samples were analyzed for Biochemical parameters. newlineStudent s T test, Pearson s correlation , Logistic and Linear regression were performed for analysis of data using the Jamovi (2.0.0) Statistical software package. newline newlineResult: newlineDigit ratio of both hands correlated positively with Pulse Wave Velocity (Right, r = 0.25, plt0.001/ Left, r = 0.22,plt0.01) and Augmentation Index ( Right, r =0.29, plt 0.001 / Left, r = 0.27, plt0.001) in males . In female the correlation was significant only for right hand .