Table 1 Demographic characteristics, psychological questionnaire scores, and baseline hormone levels in the autism and neurotypical groups

 Age (years)

29.9 ± 8.4

27.2 ± 8.1

0.31

0.33

 Full-IQ¹

121.2 ± 16.4

114.6 ± 14.3

0.19

0.44

 Hormonal contraceptive use (n)

0

8

 Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ)

37.1 ± 5.1

14.1 ± 7.5

< 0.01**

3.4

 Empathy Quotient (EQ)

20.7 ± 11.7

54.6 ± 14.0

< 0.01**

− 2.5

 Baseline oestradiol (pg/ml)

1.0 ± 0.3

1.2 ± 0.5

0.055

− 0.54

 Baseline testosterone (pg/ml)

70.3 ± 24.9

66.4 ± 22.0

0.60

0.17

 T:E2 ratio³

0.39 ± 0.63

− 0.22 ± 1.1

0.023 *

0.63

 Baseline oxytocin (pg/ml)

3.1 ± 0.5

2.8 ± 0.6

0.064

0.57