Simon Oche Onuh¹*, Salomi Sunyarari Simon², Hadiza Abdullahi Ahmed² and Godson Lasco Miwa¹

¹Department of Human Anatomy, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria
²Department of Human Anatomy, University of Maidugari, Bornu State, Nigeria

*Corresponding Author: Simon Oche Onuh, Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria.

Received: December 06, 2022; Published:December 20, 2022

Abstract

Background of Study: 2D:4D is the ratio between the length of the second (index finger) and fourth digit (ring finger) which varies due to exposure to androgen. Hirsutism refers to excessive growth of terminal hair in women, in skin areas sensitive to androgens.

Aim: This study was carried out to evaluate sexual difference in digit ratio (2D:4D) of subjects from different ethnic groups and the extent to which it relates to hirsutism in females.

Material and Methods: A total of 465 subjects (174 males and 291 females) participated in this study aged 15 and above. The lengths of the index (2D) and ring (4D) digit were measured from the basal crease to the tip of the finger using vernier caliper and 2D:4D were calculated for each subject. The degree of hirsutism was determined using the Ferriman Gallwey Score which quantifies the presence of terminal hair over nine (9) body parts. The data was analyzed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 22.

Results: The results from this present study showed that the male subjects had higher index (2D) and ring (4D) finger length compared to females and it was statistically significant (P < 0.05). It was also revealed that the male subjects had lower digit ratio (2D:4D) compared to the female subjects. Hirsute were found to have lower digit ratio (2D:4D) compared to non-hirsute, although the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Furthermore, no association was found between 2D:4D and ethnicity, hirsutism and ethnicity as well as age and hirsutism.

Conclusion: Digit ratio (2D:4D) is sexually dimorphic, males have shorter digit ratio while female females have longer digit ratio. Hirsute have lower digit ratio (2D:4D) compared to non-hirsute. Good knowledge of the digit ratio (2D:4D) could be used for sex identification by forensic experts and anthropologists.

Keywords: Index Finger; Ring Finger; Digit Ratio; Hirsutism; Hirsute; Non-hirsute

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Citation

Citation: Simon Oche Onuh., et al. “Relationship between Digit Ratio (2D:4D) and Hirsutism Among Various Ethnic Groups in Adamawa State, Nigeria". Acta Scientific Anatomy 2.1 (2023): 27-31.