ABSTRACT
The phylogenetic, ontogenetic and seasonal hypotheses on the annual periodicity of menarche were tested. Data from European, Asian (Caucasian, Mongolian and Caucaso-Mongolian people from the northern hemisphere) and Chilean (Caucaso-Amerindian from the southern hemisphere) populations were compared with data from Hungary (Caucaso-Mongolian Europeans from a northern temperature zone) and Madras, India (a complex ethnically originated people from a tropical northern area). Chileans were compared with those Caucaso-Mongolian people because Amerindians belong also to the Mongolian group. Hungarian girls showed peaks of menarche in the month of January (winter), June, July and August (summer), in contradiction with most European Caucasians who showed peaks only in winter months; and in agreement with Finns who showed both peaks. Indian girls had peaks in April, May and June (summer) and more extreme peaks and troughs than the Finnish girls (from a temperature arctic zone). These findings do not agree with the seasonal hypothesis, but they do with the phylogenetic hypothesis. Indian girls had a peak of menarche in the same month of birth and the arrangement of data according to the gestational-menarche coincidence showed a significant heterogeneity for the monthly peaks of menarche; thus, the ontogenetic hypothesis was also supported