Health AdultsNCT07627113
Prenatal Androgen and Skills
An observational study of Health Adults, run by Nigde Omer Halisdemir University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
Due to the difficulties and risks of directly measuring prenatal hormone levels, biomarkers that indirectly reflect this exposure are used in research. In this context, the ratio of second to fourth finger length (2D:4D) is widely preferred because it is an easily applicable and non-invasive measurement. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 40 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Health Adults
- What is being tested?
- Digit Ratio, Fine motor skills and Tactile Discrimination
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- How many people
- 94 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 6 Oct 2026to 1 Jul 2027
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 40 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Study population: - Healthy individuals aged 18-40
Who may be able to join
- Healthy individuals aged 18-40
- Having sufficient visual and auditory function to understand and administer the test,
- Voluntary agreement to participate in the study and providing informed consent.
Who cannot join
- Individuals with any musculoskeletal pathology,
- History of upper extremity trauma,
- Individuals diagnosed with metabolic, neurological, or genetic diseases,
- Individuals with a history of hand surgery within the last 6 months,
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Rabia Zorlular contact
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Nigde Omer Halisdemir University
Niğde, Merkez
Rabia ZORLULAR, rabiaeraslan118@gmail.com
About this study
Official title: Prenatal Androgen and Fine Motor Skills and Tactile Discrimination
Due to the difficulties and risks of directly measuring prenatal hormone levels, biomarkers that indirectly reflect this exposure are used in research. In this context, the ratio of second to fourth finger length (2D:4D) is widely preferred because it is an easily applicable and non-invasive measurement. Evidence shows that 2D:4D stabilizes from the second trimester of pregnancy onward and exhibits strong sex differences across populations. The 2D:4D ratio is generally lower in men than in women. 2D is more strongly influenced by prenatal estrogen, while 4D is more strongly influenced by prenatal testosterone; this occurs during the first trimester of intrauterine fetal development. To our knowledge, studies examining the relationship between the 2D:4D ratio, an indirect indicator of prenatal androgen exposure, and dexterity and tactile discrimination are limited. Accordingly, the planned study aims to evaluate the relationship between the 2D:4D ratio and fine motor skills and tactile discrimination in healthy young adults.
Read the detailed description
Sex hormones experienced during prenatal exposure play a significant role in shaping certain lifelong characteristics by influencing both the physical and neurological development of individuals. The effects of these hormones, particularly on the developing nervous system, contribute to the emergence of behavioral and functional differences. Hand preference and certain behavioral traits in humans have been shown to be related to prenatal hormonal exposure. However, the development of these traits is not limited to hormonal influences alone, but is shaped by the interaction of genetic, environmental, and sociocultural factors. Due to the difficulties and risks of directly measuring prenatal hormone levels, biomarkers that indirectly reflect this exposure are used in research. In this context, the ratio of second to fourth finger length (2D:4D) is widely preferred because it is an easily applicable and non-invasive measurement. The 2D:4D ratio is generally lower in men than in women. 2D is more strongly influenced by prenatal estrogen, while 4D is more strongly influenced by prenatal testosterone; this occurs during the first trimester of intrauterine fetal development. However, whether the 2D:4D ratio is a reliable indicator of prenatal hormonal exposure is still a controversial issue in the literature. Therefore, examining the relationship between the 2D:4D ratio and various biological and functional characteristics remains important. To our knowledge, studies examining the relationship between the 2D:4D ratio, an indirect indicator of prenatal androgen exposure, and dexterity and tactile discrimination are limited. Accordingly, the planned study aims to evaluate the relationship between the 2D:4D ratio and fine motor skills and tactile discrimination in healthy young adults. It is hypothesized that prenatal hormonal exposure may indirectly shape finger morphology and receptor distribution by affecting skin and nervous system development, which may be a determining factor in tactile sensitivity and dexterity.
- Conditions
- Health Adults
- Being tested
- Digit Ratio, Fine motor skills, Tactile Discrimination
- Keywords
- Digit Ratios, Prenatal Androgens, Motor Skills, Two-Point Discrimination, Tactile Acuity
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Digit RatioOther
The second (2D) and fourth (4D) finger lengths of the participants will be measured separately in both hands by a physiotherapist with over thirteen years of clinical experience.
Fine motor skillsBehavioural
Hand dexterity will be assessed using the Purdue Pegboard Test. The test will be administered according to standard procedure with participants seated at a table. Participants will be asked to place the pegs into the corresponding holes as quickly and accurately as possible within a specified time (30 seconds).
Tactile DiscriminationBehavioural
To perform the 2-point discrimination tests, the Baseline® two-point discriminator will be used. Measurements will be applied to the distal phalangeal pulp of the index finger on both hands while participants are seated in a comfortable position with their eyes closed.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Healthy adults | Young and healthy adults aged 18-40 Receives: Other: Digit Ratio; Behavioral: Fine motor skills; Behavioral: Tactile Discrimination |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
2-point discrimination test
To perform 2-point discrimination tests, the Baseline® two-point discriminator will be used. Measurements will be applied to the distal phalangeal pulp of the index finger on both hands while participants are seated in a comfortable position with their eyes closed. The test will begin at a distance of 8 mm, allowing participants to perceive the stimulus as two points, and then the distance will be gradually reduced. After 5 mm, measurements will continue at 1 mm intervals. In each application, both contact points will be applied to the skin simultaneously and with equal pressure, and participants will be asked to indicate whether the perceived stimulus is a single point or two points.
Measured: 12 months
Digit Ratio
Measurements will be taken after participants' hands are placed on a flat surface with palms facing upwards. Finger length is defined as the distance from the midpoint of the proximal crease line where the finger joins the palm to the distal point of the fingertip.
Measurements will be performed using a digital caliper with 0.01 mm accuracy, two separate measurements will be taken for each finger, and the average value will be recorded. Based on the obtained measurements, the 2D:4D finger ratio will be calculated by dividing the 2D length by the 4D length in both hands .
Measured: 12 months
Fine motor skills
The test will be administered according to standard procedure while participants are seated at a table. Participants will be asked to place the pegs into the corresponding holes as quickly and accurately as possible within the specified time (30 seconds). In the dominant and non-dominant hand tests, participants will be asked to place pegs with one hand for 30 seconds, while in the both-hand test, the simultaneous use of both hands will be evaluated. The number of correctly placed pegs for each subtest will be recorded, and higher scores will be considered as better fine motor skill performance.
Measured: 12 months
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted4 Jun 2026
- Study start6 Oct 2026
- Primary completion1 Jul 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion1 Jul 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (2)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Health AdultsStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Other
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
- Enrolment
- 94 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Nigde Omer Halisdemir University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Rabia ZORLULAR, Nigde Omer Halisdemir University
- Investigators
- Rabia ZORLULAR, Principal investigator, Nigde Omer Halisdemir University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07627113
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- Androgen and Skills
- Status last verified
- May 2026
- First submitted
- 30 May 2026
- Last updated
- 9 Oct 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Butovskaya M, Adam Y, Batsevich V, Shackelford TK, Fink B. Associations between 2D:4D from direct and radiographic measurements with handgrip strength in young adult Tuvans. Early Hum Dev. 2024 Jun;193:106037. doi: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2024.106037. Epub 2024 May 8.
PubMed 38743999Fink B, Manning JT, Neave N, Tan U. Second to fourth digit ratio and hand skill in Austrian children. Biol Psychol. 2004 Nov;67(3):375-84. doi: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2004.03.012.
PubMed 15294393
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 9 Oct 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Prenatal Androgen and Fine Motor Skills and Tactile Discrimination
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07627113
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- Androgen and Skills
- Conditions
- Health Adults
- Keywords
- Digit Ratios, Prenatal Androgens, Motor Skills, Two-Point Discrimination, Tactile Acuity
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 94 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Nigde Omer Halisdemir UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 6 Oct 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 1 Jul 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 1 Jul 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 4 Jun 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Due to the difficulties and risks of directly measuring prenatal hormone levels, biomarkers that indirectly reflect this exposure are used in research. In this context, the ratio of second to fourth finger length (2D:4D) is widely preferred because it is an easily applicable and non-invasive measurement. Evidence shows that 2D:4D stabilizes from the second trimester of pregnancy onward and exhibits strong sex differences across populations. The 2D:4D ratio is generally lower in men than in women. 2D is more strongly influenced by prenatal estrogen, while 4D is more strongly influenced by prenatal testosterone; this occurs during the first trimester of intrauterine fetal development. To our knowledge, studies examining the relationship between the 2D:4D ratio, an indirect indicator of prenatal androgen exposure, and dexterity and tactile discrimination are limited. Accordingly, the planned study aims to evaluate the relationship between the 2D:4D ratio and fine motor skills and tactile discrimination in healthy young adults.
Detailed description
Sex hormones experienced during prenatal exposure play a significant role in shaping certain lifelong characteristics by influencing both the physical and neurological development of individuals. The effects of these hormones, particularly on the developing nervous system, contribute to the emergence of behavioral and functional differences. Hand preference and certain behavioral traits in humans have been shown to be related to prenatal hormonal exposure. However, the development of these traits is not limited to hormonal influences alone, but is shaped by the interaction of genetic, environmental, and sociocultural factors. Due to the difficulties and risks of directly measuring prenatal hormone levels, biomarkers that indirectly reflect this exposure are used in research. In this context, the ratio of second to fourth finger length (2D:4D) is widely preferred because it is an easily applicable and non-invasive measurement. The 2D:4D ratio is generally lower in men than in women. 2D is more strongly influenced by prenatal estrogen, while 4D is more strongly influenced by prenatal testosterone; this occurs during the first trimester of intrauterine fetal development. However, whether the 2D:4D ratio is a reliable indicator of prenatal hormonal exposure is still a controversial issue in the literature. Therefore, examining the relationship between the 2D:4D ratio and various biological and functional characteristics remains important. To our knowledge, studies examining the relationship between the 2D:4D ratio, an indirect indicator of prenatal androgen exposure, and dexterity and tactile discrimination are limited. Accordingly, the planned study aims to evaluate the relationship between the 2D:4D ratio and fine motor skills and tactile discrimination in healthy young adults. It is hypothesized that prenatal hormonal exposure may indirectly shape finger morphology and receptor distribution by affecting skin and nervous system development, which may be a determining factor in tactile sensitivity and dexterity.
Study design
- Observational model
- Other
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Healthy adults | – | Other: Digit Ratio, Behavioral: Fine motor skills, Behavioral: Tactile DiscriminationYoung and healthy adults aged 18-40 |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 40 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
- Study population
- - Healthy individuals aged 18-40
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Healthy individuals aged 18-40
- Having sufficient visual and auditory function to understand and administer the test,
- Voluntary agreement to participate in the study and providing informed consent.
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Individuals with any musculoskeletal pathology,
- History of upper extremity trauma,
- Individuals diagnosed with metabolic, neurological, or genetic diseases,
- Individuals with a history of hand surgery within the last 6 months,
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Digit RatioThe second (2D) and fourth (4D) finger lengths of the participants will be measured separately in both hands by a physiotherapist with over thirteen years of clinical experience. | Other | Healthy adults |
| Fine motor skillsHand dexterity will be assessed using the Purdue Pegboard Test. The test will be administered according to standard procedure with participants seated at a table. Participants will be asked to place the pegs into the corresponding holes as quickly and accurately as possible within a specified time (30 seconds). | Behavioural | Healthy adults |
| Tactile DiscriminationTo perform the 2-point discrimination tests, the Baseline® two-point discriminator will be used. Measurements will be applied to the distal phalangeal pulp of the index finger on both hands while participants are seated in a comfortable position with their eyes closed. | Behavioural | Healthy adults |
Primary outcome
2-point discrimination test
Time frame: 12 months
To perform 2-point discrimination tests, the Baseline® two-point discriminator will be used. Measurements will be applied to the distal phalangeal pulp of the index finger on both hands while participants are seated in a comfortable position with their eyes closed. The test will begin at a distance of 8 mm, allowing participants to perceive the stimulus as two points, and then the distance will be gradually reduced. After 5 mm, measurements will continue at 1 mm intervals. In each application, both contact points will be applied to the skin simultaneously and with equal pressure, and participants will be asked to indicate whether the perceived stimulus is a single point or two points.
Digit Ratio
Time frame: 12 months
Measurements will be taken after participants' hands are placed on a flat surface with palms facing upwards. Finger length is defined as the distance from the midpoint of the proximal crease line where the finger joins the palm to the distal point of the fingertip. Measurements will be performed using a digital caliper with 0.01 mm accuracy, two separate measurements will be taken for each finger, and the average value will be recorded. Based on the obtained measurements, the 2D:4D finger ratio will be calculated by dividing the 2D length by the 4D length in both hands .
Fine motor skills
Time frame: 12 months
The test will be administered according to standard procedure while participants are seated at a table. Participants will be asked to place the pegs into the corresponding holes as quickly and accurately as possible within the specified time (30 seconds). In the dominant and non-dominant hand tests, participants will be asked to place pegs with one hand for 30 seconds, while in the both-hand test, the simultaneous use of both hands will be evaluated. The number of correctly placed pegs for each subtest will be recorded, and higher scores will be considered as better fine motor skill performance.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 9 Oct 2026.
- Results publication: PubMed 38743999Butovskaya M, Adam Y, Batsevich V, Shackelford TK, Fink B. Associations between 2D:4D from direct and radiographic measurements with handgrip strength in young adult Tuvans. Early Hum Dev. 2024 Jun;193:106037. doi: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2024.106037. Epub 2024 May 8.
- Results publication: PubMed 15294393Fink B, Manning JT, Neave N, Tan U. Second to fourth digit ratio and hand skill in Austrian children. Biol Psychol. 2004 Nov;67(3):375-84. doi: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2004.03.012.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Rabia Zorlular contact
Rabia ZORLULAR principal investigator
Nigde Omer Halisdemir University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Health Adults, run by Nigde Omer Halisdemir University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 5 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 9 Oct 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Rabia ZORLULAR (+5424362082, rabiaeraslan118@gmail.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
2-point discrimination test (time frame: 12 months). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07627113, which also lists 2 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 9 Oct 2026.