The ratio of 2nd to 4th digit length: a proxy for testosterone, and susceptibility to HIV and AIDS?

Manning, J. T., Henzi, P. and Bundred, P.E (2001) 'The ratio of 2nd to 4th digit length: a proxy for testosterone, and susceptibility to HIV and AIDS?'. Medical Hypotheses, Vol 57, Issue 6, pp. 761-763.

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Abstract

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.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	QT Physiology > QT 4 General works, including comparative physiology WC Communicable Diseases > Virus Diseases > Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. HIV Infections > WC 503 Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. HIV infections WC Communicable Diseases > Virus Diseases > Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. HIV Infections > WC 503.4 Epidemiology WC Communicable Diseases > Virus Diseases > Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. HIV Infections > WC 503.6 Prevention and control
Faculty: Department:	Pre 2002
Digital Object Identifer (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1054/mehy.2001.1487
Depositing User:	Lynn Roberts-Maloney
Date Deposited:	20 Feb 2014 12:03
Last Modified:	17 Jul 2020 10:57
URI:	https://archive.lstmed.ac.uk/id/eprint/3170

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