title: Digit ratios by computer-assisted analysis confirm lack of anatomical evidence of prenatal androgen exposure in clinical phenotypes of polycystic ovary syndrome.
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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Computer-assisted measurements validated that digit ratios of women with PCOS do not show anatomical evidence of increased prenatal androgen exposure.
authors.affiliation: Division of Nutritional Sciences, College of Agriculture of Life Sciences, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA. mel245@cornell.edu
authors.forename: Marla E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Lujan
authors.forename: Amanda J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Podolski
authors.forename: Donna R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Chizen
authors.forename: Denis C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Lehotay
authors.forename: Roger A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Pierson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000728:Androgens / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000886:Anthropometry / Q000379:methods*; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005385:Fingers / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010641:Phenotype; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens