Genetic and environmental prenatal factors influencing the fluctuating asymmetry of the a-b interdigital ridge count are examined. From the results obtained we can conclude that fluctuating asymmetry of the a-b interdigital ridge count is poorly influenced by genetic factors. We suggest that fluctuating asymmetry of dermatoglyphics provides a good measure of developmental stability in humans, especially for males. The results also indicate that random environmental factors, acting before the 19th week of embryonic development, could be related to the differential timing of maturation of the sexes.
Fragile X syndrome is associated with an unstable CGG repeat sequence in the 5 0 untranslated region of the first exon of the FMR1 gene. The present study involved the evaluation of factors implicated in CGG repeat stability in a normal sample from two Basque valleys (Markina and Arratia), to discover whether the Basque population shows allelic diversity and to identify factors involved, by using the data in conjunction with previous findings. The study was based on a sample of 204 and 58 X chromosomes from the Markina and Arratia valleys, respectively. The CGG repeat, the AGG interspersion and two flanking microsatellite markers, FRAX-AC1 and DXS548, were examined. In the Markina valley, gray zone alleles (X35 CGG repeats) were associated with anchoring AGGs, with the longest 3 0 pure CGG repeats of the valley ( ¼ 15), with the 5 0 instability structure 9+n and with one principal fragile X FRAXAC1-DXS548 haplotype 42-50. In the Arratia valley, gray zone alleles (X35 CGG repeats) showed the highest frequency among the Basque samples analyzed, and were associated with anchoring AGGs, with the longest 3 0 pure repeats (X20), with the 5 0 instability structure 9+n and with one 'normal' FRAXAC1-DXS548 haplotype 38-40 (these data from Arratia suggest the existence of a 'protective' haplotype). The results showed, on the one hand, differences between Markina and Arratia in factors implicated in CGG repeat instability and, on the other hand, a great similarity between the general Basque sample from Biscay and the Markina valley.
The 3 red-cell polymorphic systems acid phosphatase (ACP), adenosine deaminase (ADA) and esterase D (ESD) have been studied in a random sample of 1,112 individuals from the Basque country: The allelic frequencies obtained were ACP*A = 0.275, ACP*B = 0.718 and ACP*C = 0.007; ADA*2 = 0.021, and, ESD*2 = 0.066. The allelic frequencies have been compared with those of other Basque and other European populations. In comparison with Basques, significant differences were detected only for ACP, whereas as regards other Europeans significant differences were obtained with practically all the populations compared for the 3 genetic systems studied. The low values of the less frequent alleles, especially that for the ACP*C allele which is the lowest reported in Europe, are noteworthy.
We have analysed finger ridge counts in the indigenous Spanish Basque population (841 males and 911 females). Bimanual and sexual variation have proved to be statistically significant. The results in the Basque population were compared with those of other Spanish populations. In the univariate comparison statistically significant differences appear. The means found in the Basque population are the lowest. Our population is situated on the lower part of the variation range of the European populations for whom data are available. In principal component analysis the first two components explain more than 90% of the total variability. The first component is interpreted as a size component, which is usual. The factor scores of the individual samples have proved to be very useful in showing which populations are nearest to the Basque one.
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