title: Anatomical evidence for in utero androgen exposure in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have masculinized finger length patterns compared to women without PCOS.
  
  
  METHODS
  A case control study.
  
  
  METHODS
  University teaching hospital and in vitro fertilization unit.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy women aged between 18 and 40 years with PCOS were compared to 70 women without PCOS.
  
  
  METHODS
  Measurement of the second to fourth finger length ratio on the ventral surface of the left and right hand from the basal crease of the digit to the tip was made using Vernier calipers.
  
  
  METHODS
  The second to fourth finger length ratio.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found a significantly reduced ratio in the right hand of the women with PCOS compared to the controls. The geometric mean right finger length ratio in the PCOS group was 98.3% that of the controls (95% confidence interval, 99.3%-97.3%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Here we show a subtle difference in the finger length pattern of women with PCOS. This may constitute anatomical evidence of in utero androgen exposure in PCOS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash Medical Centre, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. fleur.cattrall@med.monash.edu.au
authors.forename: Fleur R
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Cattrall
authors.forename: Beverley J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Vollenhoven
authors.forename: Gareth C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Weston
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000728:Androgens / Q000502:physiology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005385:Fingers / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000196:embryology*; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006801:Humans; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012727:Sex Characteristics
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens