Department of Anthropology, Yale University, USA.
Faculty of Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Poland.
Proc Biol Sci. 2020 Apr 8;287(1924):20192910. doi: 10.1098/rspb.2019.2910.
Facial characteristics can serve as a cue for judgements of multiple human traits, from maternal tendencies, overall fertility to sexual openness. In this study, we tested previously found fluctuations in facial shape throughout the menstrual cycle. With methods more robust than those formerly used (larger sample size and detailed hormonal assessments determining the timing of the ovulation), we did not find significant changes in either of the three facial measurements conducted: symmetry, averageness and sexual dimorphism (all ≤ 0.78, all partial ≤ 0.01, all ≥ 0.542). After narrowing the sample to cycles that had a higher probability of being ovulatory (based on daily measurements of luteinizing hormone and oestradiol), the results remained non-significant (all ≤ 1.20, all partial ≤ 0.03, all ≥ 0.315). Our results (i) suggest that the previously found increased facial attractiveness of women in the most fertile phase of the menstrual cycle is not driven by changes in facial shape, but might instead stem from other changes in facial appearance, such as a more attractive skin tone; and (ii) underline the importance of replication of studies with new methods.
面部特征可以作为判断多种人类特征的线索，从母性倾向、整体生育能力到性开放程度。在这项研究中，我们测试了之前在整个月经周期中发现的面部形状波动。使用比以前更强大的方法（更大的样本量和详细的激素评估确定排卵时间），我们在三个进行的面部测量中均未发现显著变化：对称性、平均性和性别二态性（所有 ≤ 0.78，所有部分 ≤ 0.01，所有 ≥ 0.542）。在根据黄体生成素和雌二醇的日常测量将样本缩小到更有可能排卵的周期后，结果仍然没有意义（所有 ≤ 1.20，所有部分 ≤ 0.03，所有 ≥ 0.315）。我们的研究结果（i）表明，之前在月经周期最肥沃阶段发现的女性面部吸引力增加不是由面部形状变化引起的，而是可能源于面部外观的其他变化，例如更具吸引力的肤色；（ii）强调了使用新方法复制研究的重要性。
