Understanding the Associations of Prenatal Androgen Exposure on Sleep Physiology, Circadian Proteins, Anthropometric Parameters, Hormonal Factors, Quality of Life, and Sex Among Healthy Young Adults: Protocol for an International, Multicenter Study

Wojciech Kuczyński; Erik Wibowo; Tetsuro Hoshino; Aleksandra Kudrycka; Aleksandra Małolepsza; Urszula Karwowska; Milena Pruszkowska; Jakub Wasiak; Aleksandra Kuczyńska; Jakub Spałka; Paulina Pruszkowska-Przybylska; Łukasz Mokros; Adam Białas; Piotr Białasiewicz; Ryujiro Sasanabe; Mark Blagrove; John Manning

doi:10.2196/29199

Understanding the Associations of Prenatal Androgen Exposure on Sleep Physiology, Circadian Proteins, Anthropometric Parameters, Hormonal Factors, Quality of Life, and Sex Among Healthy Young Adults: Protocol for an International, Multicenter Study

JMIR Res Protoc. 2021 Oct 6;10(10):e29199. doi: 10.2196/29199.

Authors

Wojciech Kuczyński^#¹, Erik Wibowo^#², Tetsuro Hoshino³, Aleksandra Kudrycka¹, Aleksandra Małolepsza¹, Urszula Karwowska¹, Milena Pruszkowska¹, Jakub Wasiak¹, Aleksandra Kuczyńska⁴, Jakub Spałka¹, Paulina Pruszkowska-Przybylska⁵, Łukasz Mokros⁶, Adam Białas⁷, Piotr Białasiewicz¹, Ryujiro Sasanabe³, Mark Blagrove⁸, John Manning⁹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Sleep Medicine and Metabolic Disorders, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland.
² Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
³ Department of Sleep Medicine and Sleep Disorder Center, Aichi Medical University, Aichi, Japan.
⁴ Department of Microbiology and Laboratory Medical Immunology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland.
⁵ Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland.
⁶ Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland.
⁷ Department of Pathobiology of Respiratory Diseases, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland.
⁸ Department of Psychology, Swansea University, Swansea, United Kingdom.
⁹ Applied Sports, Technology, Exercise, and Medicine Research Centre, Swansea University, Swansea, United Kingdom.

^# Contributed equally.

PMID: 34612837
PMCID: PMC8529469
DOI: 10.2196/29199

Abstract

Background: The ratio of the second finger length to the fourth finger length (2D:4D ratio) is considered to be negatively correlated with prenatal androgen exposure (PAE) and positively correlated with prenatal estrogen. Coincidentally, various brain regions are sensitive to PAE, and their functions in adults may be influenced by the prenatal actions of sex hormones.

Objective: This study aims to assess the relationship between PAE (indicated by the 2D:4D ratio) and various physiological (sex hormone levels and sleep-wake parameters), psychological (mental health), and sexual parameters in healthy young adults.

Methods: This study consists of two phases. In phase 1, we will conduct a survey-based study and anthropometric assessments (including 2D:4D ratio and BMI) in healthy young adults. Using validated questionnaires, we will collect self-reported data on sleep quality, sexual function, sleep chronotype, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. In phase 2, a subsample of phase 1 will undergo polysomnography and physiological and genetic assessments. Sleep architecture data will be obtained using portable polysomnography. The levels of testosterone, estradiol, progesterone, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, prolactin, melatonin, and circadian regulatory proteins (circadian locomotor output cycles kaput [CLOCK], timeless [TIM], and period [PER]) and the expression levels of some miRNAs will be measured using blood samples. The rest and activity cycle will be monitored using actigraphy for a 7-day period.

Results: In Poland, 720 participants were recruited for phase 1. Among these, 140 completed anthropometric measurements. In addition, 25 participants joined and completed phase 2 data collection. Recruitment from other sites will follow.

Conclusions: Findings from our study may help to better understand the plausible role of PAE in sleep physiology, mental health, and sexual quality of life in young adults.

International registered report identifier (irrid): DERR1-10.2196/29199.

Keywords: chronotype; circadian proteins; circadian rhythm; digit ratio; estrogen; miRNA; sex hormones; sleep; testosterone.

©Wojciech Kuczyński, Erik Wibowo, Tetsuro Hoshino, Aleksandra Kudrycka, Aleksandra Małolepsza, Urszula Karwowska, Milena Pruszkowska, Jakub Wasiak, Aleksandra Kuczyńska, Jakub Spałka, Paulina Pruszkowska-Przybylska, Łukasz Mokros, Adam Białas, Piotr Białasiewicz, Ryujiro Sasanabe, Mark Blagrove, John Manning. Originally published in JMIR Research Protocols (https://www.researchprotocols.org), 06.10.2021.