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Cited by 33Sexual Differentiation and DisordersEffects and risks of endocrine disrupting chemicalsOvarian function and disorders

Anogenital distance of women in relation to their mother’s gynaecological characteristics before or during pregnancy

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Mira-Escolano, María-Pilar, Mendiola, Jaime, Mínguez-Alarcón, Lidia, Roca, Manuela, Cutillas-Tolín, Ana, López-Espín, José J., Torres-Cantero, Alberto M.·2014·Reproductive BioMedicine Online
DOI 10.1016/j.rbmo.2013.09.026
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Abstract

Animal models suggest that anogenital distance (AGD) at birth reflects androgen concentrations during in-utero development and predicts adult AGD. Several human observational studies show an association between menstrual cycle irregularities and a hyperandrogenic environment and that may result in a potential alteration of the female reproductive tract during in-utero development. This study examined associations between AGD of young women and their mother's gynaecological characteristics before or during pregnancy. This is cross-sectional study of 100 college-age volunteers in southern Spain. Physical and gynaecological examinations were conducted on the young women and they and their mothers completed epidemiological questionnaires on lifestyles and gynaecological history. Linear regression analysis was used to examine the association between AGD measurements (anus-fourchette (AGDAF) and anus-clitoris (AGDAC)) of women and their mother's gynaecological characteristics. Longer AGDAF was associated with the presence of mother's menstrual cycle irregularities before pregnancy (P=0.03). Longer female AGD has been related to excess androgen exposure in utero in toxicological studies. The current findings may be consistent with studies in which an association between menstrual cycle irregularities and an hyperandrogenic environment has been reported, which therefore may result in a potential modification of the female offspring's reproductive tract during in-utero development, including AGD. Rodent models suggest that perineal length at birth reflects male hormone concentrations (androgens) during in-utero development and predicts adult perineal length. Several human studies show a relationship between menstrual cycle irregularities and an excessive androgen environment. We hypothesize that androgen excess may result in a potential alteration of the female reproductive tract during in-utero development. Our aim was to examine associations between perineal length of young women and their mother's gynaecological characteristics before or during pregnancy. This is a study of 100 college-age volunteers in Southern Spain. Physical and gynaecological examinations were conducted on the young women and they and their mothers completed epidemiological questionnaires on lifestyles and gynaecological history. We used multivariate analyses to assess the association between perineal length of women and their mother's gynaecological characteristics. Longer perineal length was associated with the presence of mother's menstrual cycle irregularities before pregnancy. Longer female perineal length has been related to excess androgen exposure in utero in rodent studies. Our findings may be consistent with previous studies in which an association between menstrual cycle irregularities and an excess of androgen has been reported, which therefore may result in a potential modification of the female offspring's reproductive tract during in-utero development, including perineal length.

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  • Among 100 typical, college-aged premenopausal women, shorter AGD is associated with lower serum testosterone.

    “Moreover, among 100 typical, college-aged premenopausal women, shorter AGD has been associated with lower serum testosterone,24”

    From Prenatal Origins of Endometriosis Pathology and Pain: Reviewing the Evidence of a Role for Low Testosterone (2023) · cites this paper as [24]

    The Abstract (page unavailable) describes a study of 100 college-age women and reports an association between their AGD and their mothers’ menstrual irregularities. The Results (page unavailable) describe participants aged 18–23. Neither passage reports an association between the participants’ AGD and their serum testosterone; the Discussion’s references to testosterone concern other populations or prenatal conditions. (LLM, conf=0.82)

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Authors
Mira-Escolano, M.-P., Mendiola, J., Mínguez-Alarcón, L., Roca, M., Cutillas-Tolín, A., López-Espín, J. J., & Torres-Cantero, A. M.
Affiliations
  • Universidad de Murcia (ES)
  • Universitat de Miguel Hernández d'Elx (ES)
Corresponding author
Mendiola, Jaime
ORCID
Venue
Reproductive BioMedicine Online
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2014-02
Volume
28
Issue
2
Pages
209-215
ISSN
1472-6483 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.rbmo.2013.09.026
OpenAlex
W2094555534
Cited by
33
References
37
Citations by year
2025: 2 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 3 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 5 · 2014: 3
FWCI
1.19
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Reproductive BioMedicine Online (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • Universidad de Murcia
  • Instituto de Salud Carlos III (PI10/00985)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Sexual Differentiation and Disorders
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Effects and risks of endocrine disrupting chemicals
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Ovarian function and disorders
Keywords
anogenital distance, female reproductive tract development, young women, clitoris, developmental origins of health and disease, endocrine disruptors, puberty timing
MeSH terms
Adult, Anal Canal, Body Weights and Measures, Cross-Sectional Studies, Female, Genitalia, Female, Humans, Menstrual Cycle, Mothers, Pregnancy, Surveys and Questionnaires, Spain, Body Mass Index, Linear Models

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