title: Longer anogenital distance is associated with higher testosterone levels in women: a cross-sectional study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Animal models have suggested that anogenital distance (AGD) at birth reflects androgen levels during in utero development and predicts adult AGD. A recent study showed an association between perineal length and androgen levels in men, suggesting that serum testosterone levels in adulthood will depend on factors involved during the fetal period. The aim of this study is to assess the relationship between AGD measures and reproductive hormone levels in women.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study conducted between February and November 2011.
  
  
  METHODS
  University-affiliated fertility clinics.
  
  
  METHODS
  100 young college students.
  
  
  METHODS
  Physical and gynaecological examinations were conducted on university students. All participants provided a blood sample for determination of reproductive hormones and completed an epidemiological questionnaire on lifestyles and gynaecological history. We used multiple linear regression analysis to examine the associations between perineal length measurements [anus-fourchette (AGDAF ) and anus-clitoris (AGDAC )] and reproductive hormone levels.
  
  
  METHODS
  Anogenital distance measurements and reproductive hormone levels.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the multiple linear regression analyses, AGDAF was positively associated with serum testosterone levels. Serum testosterone increased 0.06 ng/ml (95%CI 0.01, 0.10; P = 0.02) for each 1-cm increase in AGDAF . None of the measurements was associated with other reproductive hormones.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Anogenital distance may predict normal reproductive development in women, and may be a new tool of potential clinical interest to evaluate ovarian function. Our results suggest that serum testosterone levels in adulthood may depend on factors operating in the prenatal period.
authors.affiliation: Division of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Department of Health and Social Sciences, University of Murcia School of Medicine, Espinardo (Murcia), Spain.
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Mira-Escolano
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mendiola
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mínguez-Alarcón
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Melgarejo
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cutillas-Tolín
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Roca
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: López-Espín
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Noguera-Velasco
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Torres-Cantero
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001003:Anal Canal / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D005836:Genitalia, Female / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000502:physiology*; D010502:Perineum / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D010808:Physical Examination; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D013739:Testosterone; D004958:Estradiol; D011388:Prolactin; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone
keywords: Androgens; anogenital distance; prenatal exposure; women