%0 Journal Article
%A Klimek, Magdalena
%A Marcinkowska, Urszula M.
%A Galbarczyk, Andrzej
%A Nenko, Ilona
%A Jasienska, Grazyna
%+ Department of Human Behavior Ecology and Culture, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Max Planck Society
%T The age at first reproduction as a potential mediator between facial fluctuating asymmetry and reproductive success in women : 
%G eng
%U https://hdl.handle.net/21.11116/0000-000C-FE39-7
%R 10.1002/ajpa.24746
%7 2023-04-08
%D 2023
%* Review method: peer-reviewed
%X Objectives:The level of fluctuating asymmetry is suggested as a putative signal ofdevelopmental stability, thus according to this theoretical framework more symmetricindividuals should be in better biological condition and have greater reproductivepotential. Here we hypothesize that women with more symmetric faces have moresuccessful reproduction.Methods:Data were collected from 164 postmenopausal Polish women. Facialphotographs were taken and the overall facial asymmetry (OFA) was calculated. Theassociations between the OFA and reproductive parameters were analyzed usingmultiple regression models. Furthermore, the mediation analysis was conducted totest for the indirect effects of the OFA on reproductive success.Results:There was a statistically significant relationship between the OFA and thenumber of children born, which was mediated by the age at first reproduction(p=0.03), however, the size of the effect was rather low. Women with moresymmetric faces had an earlier age at first reproduction and, in consequence, agreater number of children.Discussion:As fluctuating asymmetry is suggested to be established in utero, thesefindings shed light on the possible life-long importance of developmental conditionsin shaping women's reproductive potential and performance.
%K developmental stability; early-life environment; reproduction; symmetry; women
%J American Journal of Biological Anthropology
%V 181
%N 2
%& 166
%P 166 - 172
%I Wiley
%@ 2692-7691