Prenatal sex hormones and human aggression: A review, and new data on progestogen effects

AbstractBackgroundJuvenile breast hypertrophy is characterised by massive enlargement of the breast in the peri-pubertal period. We aimed to analyse body size measurements (body mass index [BMI], waist-to-hip circumference ratio [WHR]), digit ratio (ratio of II and IV digits’ length [2D:4D]) and oestrogen receptor (ER) alpha (ERα) and progesterone receptors (PRs) in the breast gland in women with juvenile gigantomastia.MethodsThe study involved 30 women (mean age 25.7 years) (mean age of onset – 14.8 years). ERα and PR expressions were detected immunohistochemically in breast gland samples. For comparison, 100 controls (50 women and 50 men) were included.ResultsBMI and WHR in women with gigantomastia were higher than in control women and the former had a higher WHR than expected for their BMI. 2D:4D in the examined women did not differ from that in control women. However, left 2D:4D was negatively related to the age of gigantomastia onset. There were no correlations between ER and PR expressions and the analysed body and digit ratios.ConclusionsThe lack of a relationship between 2D:4D and juvenile breast hypertrophy may suggest that foetal exposure to sex hormones may not be crucial in its aetiology. However, the link between high left 2D:4D and early development of gigantomastia suggests that prenatal sex hormones have a role in its development timing. High WHR, and particularly high WHR relative to BMI, may indicate that these women had at some stage of development higher circulating androgens, which may have been converted to oestrogens in breasts due to local aromatase activity. Verification of this hypothesis could allow consideration of the role of aromatase inhibitors in juvenile breast hypertrophy.

Download Full-text

No association between two candidate markers of prenatal sex hormones: Digit ratios (2D:4D and other) and finger-ridge counts

Developmental Psychobiology ◽

10.1002/dev.20488 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 53 (1) ◽

pp. 69-78 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Stefan G. Dressler ◽

Martin Voracek

Keyword(s):

Sex Hormones ◽

Digit Ratios ◽

Prenatal Sex Hormones

Download Full-text

Do prenatal sex hormones modulate MS risk?

Neurology ◽

10.1212/wnl.0000000000002006 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 85 (14) ◽

pp. 1193-1194

Author(s):

Robyn M. Lucas ◽

Brenda Banwell

Keyword(s):

Sex Hormones ◽

Prenatal Sex Hormones

Download Full-text

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder is Associated with the Longer Length from Clitoris to Urethra

10.21203/rs.3.rs-84884/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Zheng Li ◽

Meng-jiao Xu ◽

Ying Jin ◽

Bing-gen Zhu

Keyword(s):

Sex Hormones ◽

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder ◽

Control Group ◽

Organizational Effects ◽

Androgen Exposure ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Prenatal Sex Hormones ◽

Prenatal Androgen Exposure ◽

And Control ◽

Prenatal Androgen

Abstract Background: Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a common, recently recognized, psychiatric condition among reproductive women, reflecting abnormal responsivity to ovarian steroids. Moreover, the organizational effects of prenatal sex hormones during the embryonic environment that may determine individual sensitivity to fluctuation of sex hormones, have got attentions, but there have been considerably less of researches on this topic. The aim of this research was to investigate the possible role of prenatal androgen in the PMDD.Methods: Anogenital distance (AGD), the distance between a woman’s clitoris and her urethral meatus (CUMD), left and right 2D:4D ratios were measured in 77 subjects (25 patients with PMDD), as these anthropometric indicators are considered to indirectly reflect prenatal androgen exposures in utero. Results: Patients with PMDD had a longer CUMD than controls (25.03±4.73 vs 22.07 ± 4.30, P=0.008), while there were no significant difference between PMDD group and control group in the AGD and right and left 2D:4D ratios.Conclusion: Atypical high prenatal androgen exposure might predispose individuals to be susceptible to PMDD.

Download Full-text