指长比在生殖医学领域的研究进展

Research progress on the digit ratios in reproductive medicine

指长比在胚胎发育早期就已形成,指长比具有性别差异性,男性指长比低于女性。HOXA与HOXD决定脊椎动物手指、足趾及生殖系统形成与分化,手-脚-生殖综合征(hand-foot-genital syndrome,HFGS)是由于HOX基因变异引起。LIN28-B基因与2D:4D及女性生殖系统的发育成熟有关。因此,指长比与生殖系统具有遗传学共性。2D:4D可能是围生期性激素活动的一种标志物,并可能与生育能力有关联。

Digit ratios are fixed early in the embryo development and show sex differences, with lower value in males. The differentiation of the urinogenital system and the digits in vertebrates is under the control of HOXA and HOXD genes. Hand-foot-genital syndrome（HFGS）is caused by a HOX gene mutation. LIN28-B gene is also associated with sexual maturity of female＇s genital system and digit ratio （2D：4D）. So, there is genetic commonness between digits and genital system. The digit ratio （2D：4D） may be a predictor of the prenatal sex-hormone activity, and possibly associated with human fertility.