Relationship between genetic anomalies of different levels and deviations in dermatoglyphic traits. Part 2: Dermatoglyphic peculiarities of females with Turner's syndrome

Abstract

The present study is carried out to evaluate the effect of chromosomal morbidity (45x/46xx or 45x/47xxx or 45x) in the females with Turner syndrome, based on dermatoglyphic traits and indices of diversity and asymmetry. The main objectives of the present study is to find dermatoglyphic traits and fluctuating asymmetry indices which could be "marker traits" and could indicate the degree of developmental instability of the organism. The sample of Turner females (N = 57) was collected in the Genetic Institute of Sheba Hospital, Tel Aviv, Israel, by Professor Bat-Miriam Katznelson during 20 years, between 1968-1988. All patients were checked by chromosomal examination and finger and palm prints were collected with the aid of pads manufactured by Lamedco Inc. Knoxville, Tennessee, U.S.A. Interpretation of the prints was according to Cummins & Midlo (1961) and Penrose (1968) and included identification of patterns, ridge counts and the measurements of distances and angles in the palms. 79 dermatoglyphic variables for every patient: 28 continuous traits, 9 discrete traits, 11 indices of intraindividual diversity, 15 indices of directional asymmetry and 16 indices of fluctuating asymmetry were estimated. The problem of asymmetry, fluctuating and directional and of intraindividual diversity of quantitative dermatoglyphic traits is here reviewed as well as illustrated by data obtained on a sample of healthy control group of Jews from Israel.