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In utero testosterone exposure influences physiological responses to dyadic interactions in neurotypical adults

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 April 2016

Anna Truzzi ,
Vincenzo Paolo Senese ,
Peipei Setoh ,
Cristian Ripoli  and
Gianluca Esposito Open the ORCID record for Gianluca Esposito [Opens in a new window]
Anna Truzzi
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology and Cognitive Science, University of Trento, Rovereto, TN, Italy
Vincenzo Paolo Senese
Affiliation:
Psychometric Laboratory, Department of Psychology, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy
Peipei Setoh
Affiliation:
Division of Psychology, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
Cristian Ripoli
Affiliation:
Institute of Human Physiology, Università Cattolica, Rome, Italy
Gianluca Esposito*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology and Cognitive Science, University of Trento, Rovereto, TN, Italy Division of Psychology, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
*
Department of Psychology and Cognitive Science, University of Trento, Corso Bettini, 31 I-38068 Rovereto (TN)-Italy. Tel: +39 0464 80 8643; Fax: +39 0464 80 8602; E-mail: gianluca.esposito@unitn.it
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Abstract

Objective

We investigated how different levels of prenatal exposure to testosterone influence physiological reactions to dyadic interactions, hypothesising that higher levels of prenatal testosterone are linked to greater physiological responses.

Method

Autonomic nervous system responses to dyadic interactions focussed on social or physical norms were measured. Physiological assessment of excitability (heart rate, facial temperature) and a behavioural assessment (Likert items judgements) were run on 25 neurotypical participants who had distinct testosterone exposure levels in utero. In utero exposure to testosterone was assessed measuring 2D : 4D (ratio between the lengths of the index and the ring fingers).

Results

Higher testosterone exposure participants showed greater physiological arousal: a greater heart rate decrease, independent from scenario type (p<0.05), and opposite facial temperature changes in response to social (increase) (vs.) physical scenarios (decrease) were found (Left-cheek: p<0.05; Right-cheek: p<0.05).

Conclusion

These findings suggest a long-term influence of prenatal environment on adults’ physiological responses during social situations.

Keywords

interpersonal relationsphysiologyprenatal exposure delayed effectstestosterone
Type
Short Communication
Information
Acta Neuropsychiatrica , Volume 28 , Issue 5 , October 2016 , pp. 304 - 309
Copyright
© Scandinavian College of Neuropsychopharmacology 2016 

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