Abstract





Background: Anthropometric study of the 2D:4D digit ratio in Urhobo people of Nigeria was carried out to determine the values of 2D and 4D lengths and ascertain if there are sexual differences between the 2D:4D ratios of male and female Urhobos.


Materials and Method: A total of 300 Urhobo volunteers (146 males and 154 females) were employed in the study aged 18 and above. The lengths of the index (2D) and ring (4D) digits were measured with a Vernier Caliper and 2D:4D digit ratios were calculated. Ethical approval was sought and obtained from the Ethics and Research Committee of the Department of Human Anatomy and Cell biology, Delta State University, Abraka. Nigeria. (DELSU/CHS/ANA/121)


Results: Results from the presents study showed that males had higher right index digit (R2D) lengths and ring digit (R4D) length compared to females. It was also revealed that males had higher left ring digit (L4D) lengths compared to females. However, females had higher left index (L2D) digit lengths compared to males.


Conclusion: In conclusion males had lower 2D:4D digits ratios compared with that of females and this was statistically significant (P<0.05). Mean ratio of 0.96±0.06 is suggestive of male sex while a ratio of more than 1.00±0.05 is suggestive of female sex. 2D:4D ratio could therefore be used in sex determination and identification.


KEYWORD: Index digit, Ring digit, Digit-ratio