No sexual dimorphism in human prenatal metacarpal ratios.
BACKGROUND
Ratios of digit lengths are studied intensively as markers of prenatal sex hormone levels.


OBJECTIVE
Study sexual dimorphism in ratios of metacarpals, which received less attention.


METHODS
We studied six metacarpal ratios in deceased human fetuses of ages 10 to 42weeks.


CONCLUSIONS
We found no indication of a sexual dimorphism at this early stage of development.
Evolutionary Ecology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.
Stefan
S
Van Dongen
Department of Pathology, VU University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; NCB Naturalis, Leiden, The Netherlands.
Frietson
F
Galis
Evolutionary Ecology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.
Clara
C
Ten Broek
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Institute of Dentistry, University of Turku, Turku, Finland; Department of Oral Diagnostic Sciences, Institute of Dentistry, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.
Kristiina
K
Heikinheimo
Department of Pathology, VU University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Liliane C D
LC
Wijnaendts
Evolutionary Ecology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.
Sofie
S
Delen
Evolutionary Ecology Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.
Jessica
J
Bots
D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005385:Fingers / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008663:Metacarpus / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D012727:Sex Characteristics
2D:4D ratio; Metacarpal ratios; Prenatal development; Sex differences