Zulu XX/XX Dispermie Chimaera from Natal with Two Populations of Red Blood Cells and Patchy Skin Pigmentation

Abstract

The chimaera is female and has two children. Her blood contains 99% group 0, type AcP : BA, Pep-A : 8-2 and 1% group A(2)B, type AcP:RA, Pep-A: 1 red cells. H-, A- and B-transferase activities were demonstrated in her serum. The level of the H enzyme activity is low but is at the lower end of the normal range for group 0 persons. The levels of the A and B enzymes are also low but are higher than expected in a person with 1% A(2)B red cells in the blood. The levels of the A and B enzymes indicate that tissues other than the chimaera’s haemopoietic tissue carry her genetically A(2)B cell line and are contributing the corresponding transferases to her plasma. Gross patchy skin pigmentation is present on the upper part of her body. The chimaera has evidently inherited two dissimilar germ nuclei from each parent.

The Liverpool Chimaera

“…Mrs. K. is an XX/XY dispermie chimaera who exhibits normal female character istics and has been proven to be fertile. The literature contains counts of dispermie chimaeras of like sex who are fertile [4,14], however, most XX/XY dispermie chimaeras are infertile, and those that have produced children have been phenotypically male [2].…”