{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,16]],"date-time":"2026-06-16T12:39:26Z","timestamp":1781613566910,"version":"3.54.5"},"reference-count":36,"publisher":"Springer Science and Business Media LLC","issue":"10","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,11,1]],"date-time":"2025-11-01T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1761955200000},"content-version":"tdm","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0"},{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,11,14]],"date-time":"2025-11-14T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1763078400000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":13,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0"}],"funder":[{"name":"Klinikum der Universit\u00e4t M\u00fcnchen"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["link.springer.com"],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Arch Sex Behav"],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2025,11]]},"abstract":"<jats:title>Abstract<\/jats:title>\n                  <jats:p>\n                    The relative length of the 2nd (index) and 4th (ring) finger, i.e., digit ratio (or 2D:4D) is known to be different in males and females. Few radiologically assessed data on 2D:4D for children and adolescents are available. The aim of this study was to create a local database (MuC-2020) for the radiologically assessed sex-specific left-hand 2D:4D, and to compare this data to historical cohorts from three radiographic atlases of skeletal development of the hand and wrist. Therefore, left-hand X-ray images of 169 female and 199 male children and adolescents (age: 8\u201318 years) who presented at our endocrine unit in 2019 and 2020 mostly for reasons of predicting final height were analyzed. The 2D:4D ratio was calculated and compared with ratios determined from X-ray images of patients &gt; 8 years of the atlases Greulich and Pyle (G&amp;P, data from USA, 1936\u20131942), Gilsanz and Ratib (G&amp;R, data from USA, 1980\u20132000), and Thiemann and Nitz (T&amp;N, data from German Democratic Republic, 1977). Female individuals showed a higher 2D:4D ratio with a mean of 0.936 compared to males (0.919,\n                    <jats:italic>p<\/jats:italic>\n                    &lt; 0.001). When comparing to historical data, the MuC-2020 2D:4D ratio significantly differed (females, G&amp;P,\n                    <jats:italic>p<\/jats:italic>\n                    = 0.029; males, G&amp;P\n                    <jats:italic>p<\/jats:italic>\n                    &lt; 0.001, G&amp;R,\n                    <jats:italic>p<\/jats:italic>\n                    = 0.018), with an overall increasing 2D:4D trend over time. The results of this analysis underpin the binarity of sex-specific left-hand 2D:4D in children and adolescents, and show differences to previously published cohorts suggesting an increasing 2D:4D ratio trend over the last decades. The underlying reasons are unknown, but environmental factors may be a reason (e.g., endocrine disrupting substances).\n                  <\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1007\/s10508-025-03254-8","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,11,14]],"date-time":"2025-11-14T21:12:32Z","timestamp":1763154752000},"page":"4039-4044","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/springer_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":1,"title":["Radiologically Assessed Sex-Specific Left-Hand Digit Ratio (2D:4D) in Caucasian Children and Adolescents from South Germany"],"prefix":"10.1007","volume":"54","author":[{"given":"Katharina A.","family":"Schiergens","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Ursula","family":"Berger","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Ilja","family":"Dubinski","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Birgit","family":"Kammer","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Heinrich","family":"Schmidt","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"297","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,11,14]]},"reference":[{"issue":"1768","key":"3254_CR1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1098\/rspb.2013.1532","volume":"280","author":"J Auger","year":"2013","unstructured":"Auger, J., Le Denmat, D., Berges, R., Doridot, L., Salmon, B., Canivenc-Lavier, M. C., & Eustache, F. (2013). Environmental levels of oestrogenic and antiandrogenic compounds feminize digit ratios in male rats and their unexposed male progeny. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 280(1768), Article 20131532. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1098\/rspb.2013.1532","journal-title":"Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences"},{"issue":"3","key":"3254_CR2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"221","DOI":"10.1016\/j.physbeh.2010.01.005","volume":"100","author":"MS Bloom","year":"2010","unstructured":"Bloom, M. S., Houston, A. S., Mills, J. L., Molloy, C. A., & Hediger, M. L. (2010). Finger bone immaturity and 2D:4D ratio measurement error in the assessment of the hyperandrogenic hypothesis for the etiology of autism spectrum disorders. Physiology & Behavior, 100(3), 221\u2013224. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.physbeh.2010.01.005","journal-title":"Physiology & Behavior"},{"issue":"5","key":"3254_CR3","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"976","DOI":"10.1093\/humrep\/deg198","volume":"18","author":"JJ Buck","year":"2003","unstructured":"Buck, J. J., Williams, R. M., Hughes, I. A., & Acerini, C. L. (2003). In-utero androgen exposure and 2nd to 4th digit length ratio-comparisons between healthy controls and females with classical congenital adrenal hyperplasia. Human Reproduction, 18(5), 976\u2013979. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1093\/humrep\/deg198","journal-title":"Human Reproduction"},{"key":"3254_CR4","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.earlhumdev.2023.105835","volume":"184","author":"M Butovskaya","year":"2023","unstructured":"Butovskaya, M., Adam, Y., Batsevich, V., Shackelford, T. K., & Fink, B. (2023). Direct and radiographic digit ratio (2D:4D) measurements of Tuvan children and adolescents from Southern Siberia: Sex differences and skeletal maturation. Early Human Development, 184, Article 105835. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.earlhumdev.2023.105835","journal-title":"Early Human Development"},{"issue":"1","key":"3254_CR5","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"57","DOI":"10.1007\/s10508-009-9485-7","volume":"39","author":"F Galis","year":"2010","unstructured":"Galis, F., Ten Broek, C. M., Van Dongen, S., & Wijnaendts, L. C. (2010). Sexual dimorphism in the prenatal digit ratio (2D:4D). Archives of Sexual Behavior, 39(1), 57\u201362. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s10508-009-9485-7","journal-title":"Archives of Sexual Behavior"},{"issue":"2","key":"3254_CR6","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"375","DOI":"10.1148\/105.2.375","volume":"105","author":"SM Garn","year":"1972","unstructured":"Garn, S. M., Hertzog, K. P., Poznanski, A. K., & Nagy, J. M. (1972). Metacarpophalangeal length in the evaluation of skeletal malformation. Radiology, 105(2), 375\u2013381. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1148\/105.2.375","journal-title":"Radiology"},{"key":"3254_CR7","volume-title":"Hand bone age","author":"V Gilsanz","year":"2005","unstructured":"Gilsanz, V. (2005). Hand bone age. Springer."},{"key":"3254_CR8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Greulich, W. (1959). Radiographic atlas of skeletal development of the hand and wrist (Vol. 2). Stanford University Press.","DOI":"10.1097\/00000441-195909000-00030"},{"issue":"3","key":"3254_CR9","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"256","DOI":"10.1016\/j.yhbeh.2011.05.009","volume":"60","author":"RC Knickmeyer","year":"2011","unstructured":"Knickmeyer, R. C., Woolson, S., Hamer, R. M., Konneker, T., & Gilmore, J. H. (2011). 2D:4D ratios in the first 2 years of life: Stability and relation to testosterone exposure and sensitivity. Hormones and Behavior, 60(3), 256\u2013263. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.yhbeh.2011.05.009","journal-title":"Hormones and Behavior"},{"issue":"7","key":"3254_CR10","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"469","DOI":"10.1016\/j.earlhumdev.2005.12.002","volume":"82","author":"MA Malas","year":"2006","unstructured":"Malas, M. A., Dogan, S., Evcil, E. H., & Desdicioglu, K. (2006). Fetal development of the hand, digits and digit ratio (2D:4D). Early Human Development, 82(7), 469\u2013475. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.earlhumdev.2005.12.002","journal-title":"Early Human Development"},{"issue":"2","key":"3254_CR11","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"223","DOI":"10.1007\/s10508-007-9171-6","volume":"36","author":"JT Manning","year":"2007","unstructured":"Manning, J. T., Churchill, A. J., & Peters, M. (2007). The effects of sex, ethnicity, and sexual orientation on self-measured digit ratio (2D:4D). Archives of Sexual Behavior, 36(2), 223\u2013233. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s10508-007-9171-6","journal-title":"Archives of Sexual Behavior"},{"key":"3254_CR12","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.earlhumdev.2023.105799","volume":"183","author":"JT Manning","year":"2023","unstructured":"Manning, J. T., & Fink, B. (2023). Digit ratio (2D:4D) and its relationship to foetal and maternal sex steroids: A mini-review. Early Human Development, 183, Article 105799. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.earlhumdev.2023.105799","journal-title":"Early Human Development"},{"issue":"5","key":"3254_CR13","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"902","DOI":"10.1017\/S0021932021000390","volume":"54","author":"JT Manning","year":"2022","unstructured":"Manning, J. T., Fink, B., Mason, L., & Trivers, R. (2022a). Digit ratio (2D:4D) and body mass index in the BBC Internet Study: Prenatal sex steroids and a Trivers-Willard effect on body composition. Journal of Biosocial Science, 54(5), 902\u2013911. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1017\/S0021932021000390","journal-title":"Journal of Biosocial Science"},{"issue":"1","key":"3254_CR14","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"154","DOI":"10.1017\/S0021932021000043","volume":"54","author":"JT Manning","year":"2022","unstructured":"Manning, J. T., Fink, B., Mason, L., & Trivers, R. (2022b). Parental income inequality and children\u2019s digit ratio (2D:4D): A \u201cTrivers-willard\u201d effect on prenatal androgenization? Journal of Biosocial Science, 54(1), 154\u2013162. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1017\/S0021932021000043","journal-title":"Journal of Biosocial Science"},{"issue":"1","key":"3254_CR15","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"93","DOI":"10.1006\/jtbi.2002.3014","volume":"217","author":"JT Manning","year":"2002","unstructured":"Manning, J. T., Martin, S., Trivers, R. L., & Soler, M. (2002). 2nd to 4th digit ratio and offspring sex ratio. Journal of Theoretical Biology, 217(1), 93\u201395. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1006\/jtbi.2002.3014","journal-title":"Journal of Theoretical Biology"},{"issue":"11","key":"3254_CR16","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"3000","DOI":"10.1093\/humrep\/13.11.3000","volume":"13","author":"JT Manning","year":"1998","unstructured":"Manning, J. T., Scutt, D., Wilson, J., & Lewis-Jones, D. I. (1998). The ratio of 2nd to 4th digit length: A predictor of sperm numbers and concentrations of testosterone, luteinizing hormone and oestrogen. Human Reproduction, 13(11), 3000\u20133004. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1093\/humrep\/13.11.3000","journal-title":"Human Reproduction"},{"issue":"2","key":"3254_CR17","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"121","DOI":"10.1080\/135765000396744","volume":"5","author":"JT Manning","year":"2000","unstructured":"Manning, J. T., Trivers, R. L., Thornhill, R., & Singh, D. (2000). The 2nd:4th digit ratio and asymmetry of hand performance in Jamaican children. Laterality, 5(2), 121\u2013132.","journal-title":"Laterality"},{"issue":"1571","key":"3254_CR18","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1473","DOI":"10.1098\/rspb.2005.3100","volume":"272","author":"MH McIntyre","year":"2005","unstructured":"McIntyre, M. H., Ellison, P. T., Lieberman, D. E., Demerath, E., & Towne, B. (2005). The development of sex differences in digital formula from infancy in the Fels Longitudinal Study. Proceedings. Biological Sciences, 272(1571), 1473\u20131479. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1098\/rspb.2005.3100","journal-title":"Proceedings. Biological Sciences"},{"issue":"4","key":"3254_CR19","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"251","DOI":"10.1002\/dev.20035","volume":"45","author":"AP McMechan","year":"2004","unstructured":"McMechan, A. P., O\u2019Leary-Moore, S. K., Morrison, S. D., & Hannigan, J. H. (2004). Effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on forepaw digit length and digit ratios in rats. Developmental Psychobiology, 45(4), 251\u2013258. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/dev.20035","journal-title":"Developmental Psychobiology"},{"issue":"4","key":"3254_CR20","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0059766","volume":"8","author":"MW Peeters","year":"2013","unstructured":"Peeters, M. W., Van Aken, K., & Claessens, A. L. (2013). The left hand second to fourth digit ratio (2D:4D) is not related to any physical fitness component in adolescent girls. PLoS ONE, 8(4), Article e59766. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1371\/journal.pone.0059766","journal-title":"PLoS ONE"},{"key":"3254_CR21","first-page":"93","volume":"2","author":"W Pfitzner","year":"1893","unstructured":"Pfitzner, W. (1893). Beitr\u00e4ge zur Kenntnis des menschlichen Extremit\u00e4tenskelets. V.: Anthropologische Beziehungen der Hand und Fussmaasse. Morphologische Arbeiten, 2, 93\u2013205.","journal-title":"Morphologische Arbeiten"},{"issue":"1","key":"3254_CR22","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"42","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1469-7580.2007.00830.x","volume":"212","author":"J Robertson","year":"2008","unstructured":"Robertson, J., Zhang, W., Liu, J. J., Muir, K. R., Maciewicz, R. A., & Doherty, M. (2008). Radiographic assessment of the index to ring finger ratio (2D:4D) in adults. Journal of Anatomy, 212(1), 42\u201348. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/j.1469-7580.2007.00830.x","journal-title":"Journal of Anatomy"},{"key":"3254_CR23","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"465","DOI":"10.1086\/394257","volume":"1","author":"A Schultz","year":"1926","unstructured":"Schultz, A. (1926). Fetal growth of man and other primates. Quarterly Review of Biology, 1, 465\u2013521.","journal-title":"Quarterly Review of Biology"},{"issue":"9","key":"3254_CR24","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1286","DOI":"10.3390\/biology11091286","volume":"11","author":"A Sitek","year":"2022","unstructured":"Sitek, A., Rosset, I., Kobus, M., Pruszkowska-Przybylska, P., & Zadzinska, E. (2022). Maternal age and behavior during pregnancy affect the 2D:4D digit ratio in Polish children aged 6\u201313 years. Biology, 11(9), 1286. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/biology11091286","journal-title":"Biology"},{"key":"3254_CR25","unstructured":"Team R. (2019). R: A language and environment for statistical computing. R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Viena, Austria, URL https:\/\/www.R-project.org."},{"key":"3254_CR26","volume-title":"R\u00f6ntgenatlas der normalen Hand im Kindesalter","author":"H Thiemann","year":"1991","unstructured":"Thiemann, H. (1991). R\u00f6ntgenatlas der normalen Hand im Kindesalter. Thieme."},{"key":"3254_CR27","volume-title":"Atlas of skeletal maturation of the hand","author":"T Todd","year":"1937","unstructured":"Todd, T. (1937). Atlas of skeletal maturation of the hand. Mosby."},{"key":"3254_CR28","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.earlhumdev.2020.105072","volume":"146","author":"R Trivers","year":"2020","unstructured":"Trivers, R., Jacobson, A., & Manning, J. T. (2020). Radiographic digit ratios (2D:4D) of Afro-Caribbean children: Comparisons with published data from white children. Early Human Development, 146, Article 105072. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.earlhumdev.2020.105072","journal-title":"Early Human Development"},{"issue":"2","key":"3254_CR29","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"150","DOI":"10.1016\/j.yhbeh.2005.05.023","volume":"49","author":"R Trivers","year":"2006","unstructured":"Trivers, R., Manning, J., & Jacobson, A. (2006). A longitudinal study of digit ratio (2D:4D) and other finger ratios in Jamaican children. Hormones and Behavior, 49(2), 150\u2013156. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.yhbeh.2005.05.023","journal-title":"Hormones and Behavior"},{"key":"3254_CR30","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"12","DOI":"10.1186\/1477-5751-5-12","volume":"5","author":"T Vehmas","year":"2006","unstructured":"Vehmas, T., Solovieva, S., & Leino-Arjas, P. (2006). Radiographic 2D:4D index in females: No relation to anthropometric, behavioural, nutritional, health-related, occupational or fertility variables. Journal of Negative Results in Biomedicine, 5, 12. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/1477-5751-5-12","journal-title":"Journal of Negative Results in Biomedicine"},{"key":"3254_CR31","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1155\/2014\/763563","volume":"2014","author":"S Vujovic","year":"2014","unstructured":"Vujovic, S., Popovic, S., Mrvosevic Marojevic, L., Ivovic, M., Tancic-Gajic, M., Stojanovic, M., Marina, L. V., Barac, M., Barac, B., Kovacevic, M., Duisin, D., Barisic, J., Djordjevic, M. L., & Micic, D. (2014). Finger length ratios in Serbian transsexuals. Scientific World Journal, 2014, Article 763563. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1155\/2014\/763563","journal-title":"Scientific World Journal"},{"key":"3254_CR32","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"33","DOI":"10.1016\/j.earlhumdev.2016.07.004","volume":"103","author":"T Wainstock","year":"2016","unstructured":"Wainstock, T., Pearce, B., Barr, D. B., Marder, M. E., Terrell, M., & Marcus, M. (2016). Exposure to PBB-153 and digit ratio. Early Human Development, 103, 33\u201335. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.earlhumdev.2016.07.004","journal-title":"Early Human Development"},{"issue":"6777","key":"3254_CR33","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"455","DOI":"10.1038\/35006555","volume":"404","author":"TJ Williams","year":"2000","unstructured":"Williams, T. J., Pepitone, M. E., Christensen, S. E., Cooke, B. M., Huberman, A. D., Breedlove, N. J., Breedlove, T. J., Jordan, C. L., & Breedlove, S. M. (2000). Finger-length ratios and sexual orientation. Nature, 404(6777), 455\u2013456. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/35006555","journal-title":"Nature"},{"key":"3254_CR34","unstructured":"Wood-Jones, F. (1941). The principles of anatomy as seen in the hand (2nd ed.). Williams & Williams."},{"issue":"2","key":"3254_CR35","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"329","DOI":"10.1007\/s10508-013-0179-9","volume":"43","author":"H Xi","year":"2014","unstructured":"Xi, H., Li, M., Fan, Y., & Zhao, L. (2014). A comparison of measurement methods and sexual dimorphism for digit ratio (2D:4D) in Han ethnicity. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 43(2), 329\u2013333. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s10508-013-0179-9","journal-title":"Archives of Sexual Behavior"},{"issue":"39","key":"3254_CR36","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"16289","DOI":"10.1073\/pnas.1108312108","volume":"108","author":"Z Zheng","year":"2011","unstructured":"Zheng, Z., & Cohn, M. J. (2011). Developmental basis of sexually dimorphic digit ratios. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 108(39), 16289\u201316294. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1073\/pnas.1108312108","journal-title":"Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America"}],"container-title":["Archives of Sexual Behavior"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/content\/pdf\/10.1007\/s10508-025-03254-8.pdf","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/article\/10.1007\/s10508-025-03254-8","content-type":"text\/html","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/content\/pdf\/10.1007\/s10508-025-03254-8.pdf","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,12,30]],"date-time":"2025-12-30T14:32:35Z","timestamp":1767105155000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/10.1007\/s10508-025-03254-8"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2025,11]]},"references-count":36,"journal-issue":{"issue":"10","published-print":{"date-parts":[[2025,11]]}},"alternative-id":["3254"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s10508-025-03254-8","relation":{},"ISSN":["0004-0002","1573-2800"],"issn-type":[{"value":"0004-0002","type":"print"},{"value":"1573-2800","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2025,11]]},"assertion":[{"value":"23 July 2023","order":1,"name":"received","label":"Received","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"value":"17 July 2025","order":2,"name":"revised","label":"Revised","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"value":"18 July 2025","order":3,"name":"accepted","label":"Accepted","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"value":"14 November 2025","order":4,"name":"first_online","label":"First Online","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"order":1,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Declarations"}},{"value":"The authors declare no conflicts of interest.","order":2,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Conflict of interest"}},{"value":"This study was carried out in compliance with the standards of the Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany.","order":3,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Ethical Approval"}}]}}