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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
medicine
The ratio of 2nd to 4th digit length: A proxy for testosterone, and susceptibility to HIV and AIDS?
Medical Hypotheses, Volume 57, No. 6, Year 2001
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Description
The incidence of HIV and AIDS is high in sub-Saharan Africa and in male homosexuals. It is suggested that testosterone-mediated immune dysfunction may account for this pattern. The ratio of the length of the 2nd and 4th digit (2D:4D) is negatively related to prenatal and adult testosterone concentrations. There is evidence that black South Africans have lower 2D:4D ratios than most other populations and male homosexuals have lower 2D:4D ratios than male heterosexuals. Men with low 2D:4D ratios may also be more sexually active and/or more fertile than men with high ratio. We suggest that men and women with low 2D:4D are susceptible to HIV infection and AIDS and babies with low 2D:4D ratio susceptible to vertical transmission. Infection rates may therefore be reduced by education and condom supply directed towards low 2D:4D adults. © 2001 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.
Authors & Co-Authors
Manning, John T.
United Kingdom, Liverpool
University of Liverpool
Henzi, S. Peter
South Africa, Durban
University of Kwazulu-natal
Bundred, Peter E.
United Kingdom, Liverpool
Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
Statistics
Citations: 20
Authors: 3
Affiliations: 3
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1054/mehy.2001.1487
ISSN:
03069877
Research Areas
Infectious Diseases
Maternal And Child Health
Study Design
Cohort Study
Participants Gender
Male
Female