Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Investigation of the Association of the Second-to-Fourth Digit Ratio with Skin Sebum Levels in Females with Acne Vulgaris

  • Short Communication
  • Published:
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

A relationship between acne vulgaris (AV) and the masculinized (lower) second-to-fourth digit (2D:4D) ratio in females was demonstrated in our previous study. Development of the digits and the sebaceous glands both occur during the same gestational period; therefore, the association between the 2D:4D ratios and AV may result from the effects of the prenatal endocrine environment on the sebaceous glands.

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the 2D:4D ratio and sebum levels in the skin of females with AV.

Methods

In total, 215 female AV patients and 92 healthy controls, aged 18–35 years, were enrolled in this study. Finger-length measurements were made using a digital Vernier caliper, and the sebum levels of five facial areas were measured using a Sebumeter SM 815. Acne severity was assessed using the International Consensus Conference on Acne Classification System.

Results

The 2D:4D ratios of the AV patients were significantly lower than those of the controls, for both hands. The mean sebum levels in the T-zone, U-zone and whole face were significantly higher for AV patients compared with controls. The 2D:4D ratio in the left hand showed significant negative correlations with the sebum levels in the U-zone; however, no association was found between the 2D:4D ratios and sebum levels in the T-zone and whole face. While acne severity was positively correlated with skin sebum levels, no correlation between acne severity and 2D:4D ratios was observed.

Conclusion

This study provides preliminary evidence regarding the association between lower 2D:4D ratios and higher rates of sebum secretion in the U-zone for females with AV. The 2D:4D ratio might be a predictor of sebum levels, as well as acne development, in females.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

References

  1. Das S, Reynolds RV. Recent advances in acne pathogenesis: implications for therapy. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2014;15:479–88.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Youn SW, Park ES, Lee DH, Huh CH, Park KC. Does facial sebum excretion really affect the development of acne? Br J Dermatol. 2005;153:919–24.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Youn SW. The role of facial sebum secretion in acne pathogenesis: facts and controversies. Clin Dermatol. 2010;28:8–11.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Janiczek-Dolphin N, Cook J, Thiboutot D, Harness J, Clucas A. Can sebum reduction predict acne outcome? Br J Dermatol. 2010;163:683–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Williams HC, Dellavalle RP, Garner S. Acne vulgaris. Lancet. 2012;379:361–72.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Zouboulis CC. Acne and sebaceous gland function. Clin Dermatol. 2004;22:360–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Zouboulis CC. Acne vulgaris. The role of hormones. Hautarzt. 2010;61:107–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Henderson CA, Taylor J, Cunliffe WJ. Sebum excretion rates in mothers and neonates. Br J Dermatol. 2000;142:110–1.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Galis F, Ten Broek CM, Van Dongen S, Wijnaendts LC. Sexual dimorphism in the prenatal digit ratio (2D:4D). Arch Sex Behav. 2010;39:57–62.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Hönekopp J, Bartholdt L, Beier L, Liebert A. Second to fourth digit length ratio (2D:4D) and adult sex hormone levels: new data and a meta-analytic review. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2007;32:313–21.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Manning JT, Barley L, Walton J, Lewis-Jones DI, Trivers RL, Singh D, et al. The 2nd:4th digit ratio, sexual dimorphism, population differences, and reproductive success: evidence for sexually antagonistic genes? Evol Hum Behav. 2000;21:163–83.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. McIntyre MH. The use of digit ratios as markers for perinatal androgen action. Reprod Biol Endocrinol. 2006;4:10.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Hönekopp J, Watson S. Meta-analysis of digit ratio 2D:4D shows greater sex difference in the right hand. Am J Hum Biol. 2010;22:619–30.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Manning JT. Resolving the role of prenatal sex steroids in the development of digit ratio. Proc Natl Acad Sci. 2011;108:16143–4.

    Article  PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Manning JT, Bundred PE, Newton DJ, Flanagan BF. The second to fourth digit ratio and variation in the androgen receptor gene. Evol Hum Behav. 2003;24:399–405.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Lutchmaya S, Baron-Cohen S, Raggatt P, Knickmeyer R, Manning JT. 2nd to 4th digit ratios, fetal testosterone and estradiol. Early Hum Dev. 2004;77:23–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Okten A, Kalyoncu M, Yariş N. The ratio of second- and fourth-digit lengths and congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency. Early Hum Dev. 2002;70:47–54.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Berenbaum SA, Bryk KK, Nowak N, Quigley CA, Moffat S. Fingers as a marker of prenatal androgen exposure. Endocrinology. 2009;150:5119–24.

    Article  PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Minto CL, Liao KL, Conway GS, Creighton SM. Sexual function in women with complete androgeninsensitivity syndrome. Fertil Steril. 2003;80:157–64.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Zheng Z, Cohn MJ. Developmental basis of sexually dimorphic digit ratios. Proc Natl Acad Sci. 2011;108:16289–94.

    Article  PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Bilgiç Ö, Doğdu M, İslamoğlu GK, Altınyazar C. The relationship between the second to fourth digit ratio and acne vulgaris. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2014;28:1340–3.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Manning JT, Wood S, Vang E, Walton J, Bundred PE, van Heyningen C, et al. Second to fourth digit ratio (2D:4D) and testosterone in men. Asian J Androl. 2004;6:211–5.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Pochi PE, Shalita AR, Strauss JS, Webster SB, Cunliffe WJ, Katz HI, et al. Report of the Consensus Conference on Acne Classification. Washington, D.C., March 24 and 25, 1990. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1991;24:495–500.

  24. Breedlove SM. Minireview: organizational hypothesis: instances of the fingerpost. Endocrinology. 2010;151:4116–22.

    Article  PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Berenbaum SA. Effects of early androgens on sex-typed activities and interests in adolescents with congenital adrenal hyperplasia. Horm Behav. 1999;35:102–10.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Abbott DH, Barnett DK, Bruns CM, Dumesic DA. Androgen excess fetal programming of female reproduction: a developmental aetiology for polycystic ovary syndrome? Hum Reprod Update. 2005;11:357–74.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Zouboulis CC, Fimmel S, Ortmann J, Turnbull JR, Boschnakow A. Sebaceous glands. In: Hoath SB, Maibach HI, editors. Neonatal skin: structure and function. 2nd ed. New York: Marcel Dekker; 2003. p. 59–87.

    Google Scholar 

  28. Choi CW, Choi JW, Park KC, Youn SW. Facial sebum affects the development of acne, especially the distribution of inflammatory acne. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2013;27:301–6.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Kim BY, Choi JW, Park KC, Youn SW. Sebum, acne, skin elasticity, and gender difference: which is the major influencing factor for facial pores? Skin Res Technol. 2013;19:45–53.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Manning JT, Fink B. Digit ratio (2D:4D), dominance, reproductive success, asymmetry, and sociosexuality in the BBC Internet Study. Am J Hum Biol. 2008;20:451–61.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Gobrogge KL, Breedlove SM, Klump KL. Genetic and environmental influences on 2D:4D finger length ratios: a study of monozygotic and dizygotic male and female twins. Arch Sex Behav. 2008;37:112–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Pang Y, He CD, Liu Y, Wang KB, Xiao T, Wang YK, et al. Combination of short CAG and GGN repeats in the androgen receptor gene is associated with acne risk in North East China. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2008;22:1445–51.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Loehlin JC, Medland SE, Martin NG. Is CAG sequence length in the androgen receptor gene correlated with finger-length ratio? Pers Individ Dif. 2012;52:224–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Kim MK, Choi SY, Byun HJ, Huh CH, Park KC, Patel RA, et al. Comparison of sebum secretion, skin type, pH in humans with and without acne. Arch Dermatol Res. 2006;298:113–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Cibula D, Hill M, Vohradnikova O, Kuzel D, Fanta M, Zivny J. The role of androgens in determining acne severity in adult women. Br J Dermatol. 2000;143:399–404.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Levell MJ, Cawood ML, Burke B, Cunliffe WJ. Acne is not associated with abnormal plasma androgens. Br J Dermatol. 1989;120:649–54.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This study was supported by the Turkish Scientific and Technical Research Council (TUBITAK, Project No. 113S671).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, Selcuk University, 42075, Konya, Turkey

    Özlem Bilgiç, Cevdet Altınyazar, Hüseyin Hıra & Murat Doğdu

Authors
  1. Özlem Bilgiç
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Cevdet Altınyazar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Hüseyin Hıra
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Murat Doğdu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Özlem Bilgiç.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

Özlem Bilgiç, Cevdet Altınyazar, Hüseyin Hıra, Murat Doğdu declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Bilgiç, Ö., Altınyazar, C., Hıra, H. et al. Investigation of the Association of the Second-to-Fourth Digit Ratio with Skin Sebum Levels in Females with Acne Vulgaris. Am J Clin Dermatol 16, 559–564 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40257-015-0147-3

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40257-015-0147-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation