Nepalese blood samples were tested for two plasma proteins and seven red cell enzyme systems. Polymorphic variation was present for the haptoglobin protein system and for the acid phosphatase, phosphoglucomutase locus 1, adenylate kinase and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase loci controlling red cell enzyme systems. Gene frequencies are compared between the eastern and western Nepalese tribes, and with the distribution pattern known in other South and South-East Asian population groups. The possible interpretations of these observations are discussed.

Serum samples from 197 individuals belonging to the caste groups of Brahmin (37), Bania (39), Khatri (73) and Jat (48) were electrophoretically examined for the haptoglobin and transferrin systems. Intercaste variation was considered and comparisons made between these North Indian populations and those in other parts of the Indian subcontinent. A single Khatri individual was typed CB.

Several regional series from Britain and 3 Asian series were typed for the Esterase D polymorphism. It was found that haemolysates up to 5 years old could be reliably typed when prepared from washed anticoagulated red blood cells. Lysates prepared from blood clots do not retain Esterase D activity quite as well. The Manx population has higher Esterase D 2 gene frequencies than neighbouring populations. A Nepalese population exhibits the highest Esterase D 2 gene frequency so far recorded. The other series presented supplement or confirm results already published.

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