Variation in reproductive traits is associated with short anogenital distance in female rats

Anogenital distance was used as a biomarker for natural variation in prenat al androgenization of female rats and was associated with individual differ ences in a suite of reproductive characteristics. Females with short anogen ital distances were likely to have first vaginal estrus earlier than female s with longer anogenital distances and to have first vaginal estrus on the same day as vaginal opening. In young adulthood, females,vith short anogeni tal distances had shorter ovarian cycles and less intense lordosis reflexes in response to manual palpation than those with longer anogenital distance s. bur only when living individually not in groups. Taken together, these f indings indicate that prenatal androgenization affects reproductive traits throughout the life span. (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.