摘要
This research aimed to provide evidenee of a relationship between digit ratio and depression status in the cynomolgus monkey(Macaca fascicularis).In stable cyno molgus mon key social groups,we selected 15 depressed monkeys based on depressive-like behavioral criteria and 16 normal control mon keys.All animals were video recorded for two weeks,with the duration and frequency of the core depressive behaviors and 58 other behaviors in 12 behavioral categories then evaluated via behavioral analysis.Fin ger len gths from the right and left forelimb hands of both groups were measured by X-ray imagi ng.Fin ger length and digit ratio comparisons between the two groups were con ducted using Stude nt's Mest.In terms of the durati on of each behavior,signifies nt differences emerged in“Huddling”and five other behavioral categories,including Ingestive,Amicable,Parental,Locomotive,and Resting.In addition to the above five behavioral categories,we found that depressed mon keys spent less time in parental and rubbing back and forth behaviors than the control group.Furthermore,the 4th fin gers were significantly Ion ger in the left and right hands in the control group relative to the depressed mon keys.The sec ond?to?fourth(2D:4D)digit ratio in the left and right forelimb hands was significantly lower in the control group tha n that in the depressed group.Our fin dings revealed significant differences in finger lengths and digit ratios between depressed mon keys and healthy controls,which concords with our view that relatively high fetal testosterone exposure may be a protective factor against developing depressive symptoms(or that low fetal testosterone exposure is a risk factor).
This research aimed to provide evidence of a relationship between digit ratio and depression status in the cynomolgus monkey(Macaca fascicularis). In stable cynomolgus monkey social groups, we selected 15 depressed monkeys based on depressive-like behavioral criteria and 16 normal control monkeys. All animals were video recorded for two weeks, with the duration and frequency of the core depressive behaviors and 58 other behaviors in12 behavioral categories then evaluated via behavioral analysis. Finger lengths from the right and left forelimb hands of both groups were measured by X-ray imaging. Finger length and digit ratio comparisons between the two groups were conducted using Student’s t-test. In terms of the duration of each behavior, significant differences emerged in "Huddling" and five other behavioral categories, including Ingestive, Amicable, Parental,Locomotive, and Resting. In addition to the above five behavioral categories, we found that depressed monkeys spent less time in parental and rubbing back and forth behaviors than the control group.Furthermore, the 4 th fingers were significantly longer in the left and right hands in the control group relative to the depressed monkeys. The second-tofourth(2 D:4 D) digit ratio in the left and right forelimb hands was significantly lower in the control group than that in the depressed group. Our findings revealed significant differences in finger lengths and digit ratios between depressed monkeys and healthy controls, which concords with our view that relatively high fetal testosterone exposure may be a protective factor against developing depressive symptoms(or that low fetal testosterone exposure is a risk factor).
基金
supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(816 01207)
National Basic Research Program of China(973 Program)(2017YFA 0505700)
