Abstract
The incidence of HIV and AIDS is high in sub-Saharan Africa and in male homosexuals. It is suggested that testosterone-mediated immune dysfunction may account for this pattern. The ratio of the length of the 2nd and 4th digit (2D:4D) is negatively related to prenatal and adult testosterone concentrations. There is evidence that black South Africans have lower 2D:4D ratios than most other populations and male homosexuals have lower 2D:4D ratios than male heterosexuals. Men with low 2D:4D ratios may also be more sexually active and/or more fertile than men with high ratio. We suggest that men and women with low 2D:4D are susceptible to HIV infection and AIDS and babies with low 2D:4D ratio susceptible to vertical transmission. Infection rates may therefore be reduced by education and condom supply directed towards low 2D:4D adults.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 761-763 |
| Number of pages | 3 |
| Journal | Medical Hypotheses |
| Volume | 57 |
| Issue number | 6 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Dec 2001 |
