13 observed that the mean testis volume was significantly negatively correlated with the right digit ratio in azoospermic men. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 Across vertebrate species including humans, the Homeobox ( Hox) a and d genes regulate limb development, including fingers and toes, as well as development of the urogenital system, including testes, ovaries and penises. The ratio of second to fourth digit length (digit ratio, 2D:4D) is sexually dimorphic in humans (the mean digit ratio is lower in males than females) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and is thought to be fixed early in development. Based on this evidence, we suggest that the digit ratio can predict adult penile size and that the effects of prenatal testosterone may in part explain the differences in adult penile length. Univariate and multivariate analysis using linear regression models showed that only height was a significant predictive factor for flaccid penile length (univariate analysis: r=0.185, P=0.026 multivariate analysis: r=0.172, P=0.038) and that only digit ratio was a significant predictive factor for stretched penile length (univariate analysis: r=−0.216, P=0.009 multivariate analysis: r=−0.201, P=0.024 stretched penile length=−9.201×digit ratio + 20.577). Under anaesthesia, flaccid and stretched penile lengths were measured by another investigator who did not measure nor have any the information regarding the digit lengths. Right-hand second- and fourth-digit lengths were measured by a single investigator prior to measurement of penile length. Korean men who were hospitalized for urological surgery at a single tertiary academic centre were examined in this study, and 144 men aged 20 years or older who gave informed consent were prospectively enrolled. In this study, we investigated the relationship between digit ratio and penile length. Both prenatal testosterone and the AR play a central role in penile growth. The second to fourth digit ratio (2D:4D) has been proposed as a putative biomarker for prenatal testosterone and covaries with the sensitivity of the androgen receptor (AR).
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