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Does the Mother or Father Determine the Offspring Sex Ratio? Investigating the Relationship between Maternal Digit Ratio and Offspring Sex Ratio

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  • Tae Beom Kim
  • Jin Kyu Oh
  • Kwang Taek Kim
  • Sang Jin Yoon
  • Soo Woong Kim

Abstract

Objective: In mammals, high parental testosterone levels present around the time of conception are thought to skew offspring sex ratio toward sons. The second to fourth digit ratio (digit ratio) is now widely accepted as a negative correlate of prenatal testosterone. Thus, we investigated the association between digit ratio and offspring sex ratio. Methods: A total of 508 Korean patients (257 males and 251 females) less than 60 years old who had one or more offspring were prospectively enrolled. The lengths of the 2nd and 4th digits of the right hand were measured by a single investigator using a digital vernier calliper. Next, the patients’ lifetime offspring birth sex ratios were investigated. Results: Maternal (rather than paternal) digit ratio was significantly associated with the number of sons (r = -0.153, p = 0.015), number of daughters (r = 0.130, p = 0.039), and offspring sex ratio (r = -0.171, p = 0.007). And, the maternal digit ratio was a significant factor for predicting offspring sex ratio (B = -1.620, p = 0.008) on multiple linear regression analysis. The female patients with a lower digit ratio (

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  • Tae Beom Kim & Jin Kyu Oh & Kwang Taek Kim & Sang Jin Yoon & Soo Woong Kim, 2015. "Does the Mother or Father Determine the Offspring Sex Ratio? Investigating the Relationship between Maternal Digit Ratio and Offspring Sex Ratio," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(11), pages 1-17, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0143054
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0143054
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Chi Zhou & Xiao Wang & Xu Zhou & Therese Hesketh, 2012. "Son preference and sex-selective abortion in China: informing policy options," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 57(3), pages 459-465, June.
    2. Terrance J. Williams & Michelle E. Pepitone & Scott E. Christensen & Bradley M. Cooke & Andrew D. Huberman & Nicholas J. Breedlove & Tessa J. Breedlove & Cynthia L. Jordan & S. Marc Breedlove, 2000. "Finger-length ratios and sexual orientation," Nature, Nature, vol. 404(6777), pages 455-456, March.
    3. repec:cai:poeine:pope_406_0865 is not listed on IDEAS
    4. Woojin Chung & Monica Das Gupta, 2007. "The Decline of Son Preference in South Korea: The Roles of Development and Public Policy," Population and Development Review, The Population Council, Inc., vol. 33(4), pages 757-783, December.
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    1. Brañas-Garza, Pablo & Chowdhury, Subhasish M. & Espín, Antonio M. & Nieboer, Jeroen, 2023. "‘Born this Way’? Prenatal exposure to testosterone may determine behavior in competition and conflict," Journal of Economic Psychology, Elsevier, vol. 96(C).

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