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

Medical Hypotheses
J T ManningP E Bundred

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.

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Citations

Jun 5, 2003·Journal of Theoretical Biology·John T ManningP Henzi
Aug 28, 2009·Psychological Reports·Martin Voracek, Lisa Mariella Loibl
Aug 3, 2013·American Journal of Human Biology : the Official Journal of the Human Biology Council·Leonid KalichmanEugene Kobyliansky
Feb 14, 2006·Early Human Development·Mehmet Ali MalasKadir Desdicioglu
Jan 1, 2008·Arthritis and Rheumatism·W ZhangM Doherty
Oct 15, 2005·American Journal of Physical Anthropology·Matthew H McIntyrePeter T Ellison

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