Moscow University
Anthropology
Bulletin

Heritability of 2D:4D finger length ratio

Kalichman L. (1), Batsevich V.A. (2), Kobyliansky Eu. (3)

1) Department of Physical Therapy, Recanati School for Community Health Professions, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O.B. 653 Beer Sheva 84105, Israel; 2) Lomonosov Moscow State University, Anuchin Institute and Museum of Anthropology, Mochovaya st., 11, Moscow, 125009, Russia; 3) Department of Anatomy and Anthropology, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel

Kalichman Leonid, PhD, ORCID ID 0000-0003-2987-4396; kleonid@bgu.ac.il, kalichman@hotmail.com; Batsevich Valery A., PhD, ORCID ID 0000-0003-3833-1588; batsevich53@mail.ru; Kobyliansky Eugene, PhD, ORCID ID 0000-0001-9691-3813; anatom14@post.tau.ac.il

Abstract

Introduction. It has been suggested that the index to ring finger length ratio (FLR) or 2D:4D ratio is a biomarker of testosterone exposure during early intra-uterine life. In recent decades FLR has been examined in relation to a number of physiological and psychological processes, sporting abilities, aging, and diverse health conditions. This study aimed to evaluate the familial correlations and heritability of FLR. Materials and methods. A Chuvashian population-based sample included 802 males and 738 females (mean age 46.98±17.10 and 48.65±16.62 years, correspondingly). Age, basic demographics, anthropometric data, reproductive indices, and x-rays of both hands were collected. Results and discussion. Familial correlations of FLR traits showed no significant correlation for spouses, however, parent-offspring (0.15-0.28, p<0.001) and sibling correlations (0.13-0.38, p<0.009) were found significant. Heritability (H2) of visual classification of FLR was 0.36 for the left and 0.28 for the right hand; finger ratio was 0.55 and 0.66, respectively; the ray ratio was 0.49 and 0.59, respectively, thus indicating the existence of a clear familial aggregation of FLR variation in the Chuvashian pedigrees, which cannot be explained by pure common environmental effects. Conclusion. Results of our study suggest the familial aggregations of finger ratio variation (for all traits) in Chuvashian pedigrees. Further research should focus on the biological mechanisms of the relationship between FLR and aging.

Keywords

human biology; hand; finger length ratio; digital ratio; 2D:4D; heritability; aging; reproductive period

DOI: 10.32521/2074-8132.2021.2.055-063

Цит.: Kalichman L., Batsevich V.A., Kobyliansky Eu. Heritability of 2D:4D finger length ratio // Moscow University Anthropology Bulletin (Vestnik Moskovskogo Universiteta. Seria XXIII. Antropologia), 2021; 2/2021; с. 55-63

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