The relationship between digit ratio and sexual orientation in a Chinese Yunnan Han population. (October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Li, Caixia; Jia, Manhong; Ma, Yanling; Luo, Hongbing; Li, Qi; Wang, Yumiao; Li, Zhenhui; Ding, Wenli; Zhang, Renzhong; Song, Lijun; Cao, Lan; Guo, Min; Wei, Tao; Lu, Lin
• Is Part Of: Personality and individual differences. Volume 101(2016)
• Page Start: 26
• Page End: 29
• Publication Date: 2016-10
• Subjects: Digit ratio -- 2D:4D -- Sexual orientation -- Han population -- China; Personality -- Periodicals; Individuality -- Periodicals; Individuality -- Periodicals; Personality Development -- Periodicals; Personnalité -- Périodiques; Individualité -- Périodiques; 155.205
• DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2016.05.043
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0191-8869

Abstract

Abstract: Digit ratio, particularly the second to fourth digit ratio (2D:4D), is fixed before birth and is related to male sexual orientation; moreover, ethnicity may affect the digit ratio. We take photocopies of both hands of 308 men of Han ethnicity, and we explored the relationship between the 2D:4D ratio and sexual orientation among the three groups (121 homosexual men, 50 bisexual men and 177 heterosexual men). The results showed: (a) the digit ratio of the men presented the trend as follows: 2D:3D < 2D:4D < 3D:4D < 2D:5D < 4D:5D < 3D:5D; (b) homosexual and bisexual men had higher mean 2D:4D ratios on their right hands than heterosexual men; (c) there was no difference between homosexual men and bisexual men in the 2D:4D ratio; (d)there was no difference between right and left hands in the same group in the 2D:4D ratio. These results indicate that prenatal sex hormones may influence sexual orientation in the Han ethnicity in Kunming, Yunnan, China. Highlights: Smaller 2D:4D ratios reflect greater prenatal androgen exposure. This study examines the relationship between 2D:4D ratio and sexual orientation in Chinese Yunnan Han population. Homosexual and bisexual men had higher 2D:4D on their right hands than heterosexual men. Fetal androgen exposure affects men's sexual orientation.