ISSN:
1432-1203
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract There are important genetic influences on the tendency to dizygotic (DZ) twinning and it is a plausible hypothesis that these reside in one or more of the genes coding for the major reproductive hormones. We used Southern analysis of DNA from 50 young (〈32) mothers of DZ twins, who also had a family history of DZ twinning, and 50 controls, to examine allele frequencies of five restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) in four hormone genes coding for follicle stimulating hormone β (FSHβ), chorionic gonadotropin β (CGB), inhibin βB and gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH). Comparison of allele frequencies revealed no significant differences between DZ twin mothers and controls. However this does not rule out the role of these genes in the hereditary tendency of multiple ovulation in humans, since absence of linkage disequilibrium does not imply absence of linkage.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00222710
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