OBJECTIVES Intrauterine environmental conditions may affect the number of primordial follicles and in this way the timing of menopause. The aim of the present study was to investigate association patterns between right hand digit ratio, that is, 2D:4D - as an indicator of prenatal androgen and estrogen exposure, and age at menopause. METHODS One hundred sixty-nine women, who had experienced natural menopause, were enrolled in the study. Length of second and fourth finger were measured directly from the palmar side and digit ratios of both hands were calculated. For further analyses the digit ratio of the right hand was used only. Additionally, smoking habits, body weight and body height, body mass index and the number of children were determined. Multiple regression analyses were used to test association patterns between digit ratio and age at menopause, body height, BMI, nicotine consumption as well as number of births and age at menopause. RESULTS Age at menopause correlated significantly positively with the digit ratio. A more feminine digit ratio is associated with a higher age at menopause, while a low digit ratio, interpreted as a hint of a higher androgen exposure during prenatal phase was associated with a lower age at menopause. CONCLUSIONS Low digit ratio is associated with an earlier onset of natural menopause.

中文翻译：

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低数位比（2D：4D）与早期自然绝经有关。

目的宫内环境条件可能会影响原始卵泡的数量，从而影响更年期的时机。本研究的目的是研究右手手指比例（即2D：4D）（作为产前雄激素和雌激素暴露的指标）与更年期之间的关联模式。方法169名经历了自然绝经的妇女参加了这项研究。直接从手掌侧测量第二和第四根手指的长度，并计算两只手的手指比例。为了进一步分析，仅使用右手的数字比例。此外，还确定了吸烟习惯，体重和身高，体重指数以及儿童人数。多元回归分析用于检验更年期的数字比例与年龄，身高，BMI，尼古丁消耗量以及更年期的出生人数和年龄之间的关联模式。结果绝经年龄与手指比例呈显着正相关。女性手指比例越高，与更年期的年龄越高，而女性手指比例越低，则意味着在产前阶段雄激素暴露量越高，则意味着更年期年龄越低。结论低数字比率与自然更年期的早发作有关。而较低的数字比例，被解释为在产前阶段雄激素暴露较高的暗示，与更年期的较低年龄有关。结论低数字比率与自然更年期的早发作有关。而较低的数字比例则被解释为在产前阶段雄激素暴露较高的暗示与更年期年龄的降低有关。结论低数字比率与自然更年期的早发作有关。