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

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0143054
• Publication Date: 2015-11-17T18:39:56Z
• Authors: Tae Beom Kim; Jin Kyu Oh; Kwang Taek Kim; Sang Jin Yoon; Soo Woong Kim
• Keywords: Digit ratio; Numerical digit

Objective In mammals, high parental testosterone levels present around the time of conception are thought to skew offspring sex ratio toward sons. The second fourth digit (digit ratio) is now widely accepted as a negative correlate prenatal testosterone. Thus, we investigated association between and ratio. Methods A total 508 Korean patients (257 males 251 females) less than 60 years old who had one or more were prospectively enrolled. lengths 2nd 4th digits right hand measured by single investigator using digital vernier calliper. Next, patients' lifetime birth ratios investigated. Results Maternal (rather paternal) was significantly associated with number sons (r = -0.153, p 0.015), daughters 0.130, 0.039), -0.171, 0.007). And, maternal significant factor for predicting (B -1.620, 0.008) on multiple linear regression analysis. female lower (< 0.95) found have higher (0.609 versus 0.521, 0.046) compared those (≥ 0.95). Furthermore, females in low group probability 1.138 greater having group. Conclusions negatively Females likely male our results suggest that might be influenced rather paternal factors.