Serogenetic Studies Research Articles

Genetic assessment of serological and biochemical markers in Bharia tribe of Chhindwara district of Madhya Pradesh

BACKGROUND:The present sero-genetic study is the first of its kind to present the baseline data of Bharia tribe of Madhya Pradesh. The main aim of this study is to provide phenotype and allele-frequency data to characterize the population genetically and to fill the void on the genetic map of Madhya Pradesh.MATERIALS AND METHODS:For this, blood samples from 92 unrelated healthy individuals of Bharia tribe from Chhindwara district (Tamia block) were collected. Hemolysates prepared were analyzed for two serological (A1A2BO and Rh) and six biochemical (adenosine deaminase, adenylate kinase locus 1, acid phosphatase locus 1, phosphoglucomutase locus 1, esterase D and glucosephosphate isomerase) parameters, following the standard electrophoretic techniques.RESULTS:The Chi-square test for goodness of fit revealed no significant deviation between the observed and expected numbers in any of the seven genetic markers, suggesting that the tribe is in genetic equilibrium. A high incidence of B allele in A1A2BO blood group and low incidence of the A1 allele, with presence of A2 in only one individual, and a low frequency of Rh(D) (Rh negative allele) was observed in serological markers. Also, no rare variant was observed for biochemical markers.CONCLUSION:Principal Component Analysis done in order to detect the genetic affinity of Bharia tribe with other populations from the adjoining states of Madhya Pradesh based on the allele frequencies, showed a close association of Bharia with Gujarat and Rajasthan. Hence, this study has been helpful in revealing the genetic structure and affinity of Bharia tribe.

Serogenetic Study of Romanies (Gypsies) from Region Spis in Slovakia. Distribution of Blood and Serum Groups, Red Cell Isoenzymes, HLA Antigens of First Class and Apolipoprotein B Gene Polymorphism

Serogenetic Study of Romanies (Gypsies) from Region Spis in Slovakia. Distribution of Blood and Serum Groups, Red Cell Isoenzymes, HLA Antigens of First Class and Apolipoprotein B Gene Polymorphism

Serogenetic studies of the Lobanas in North-West India

Phenotype and gene frequencies of several polymorphic genetic markers were examined in a Sikh agriculturist caste group, Lobanas of Punjab, India. Lobanas have been a trading community, now settled as cultivators, but for their origin there have been a difference of opinions. To trace their genetic relationship the gene frequency data was compared using multivariate analysis with several populations of India, which historically shared not only a common life style but also have a synonymous meaning of Lobana. The results of the study showed a conclusive genetic heterogeneity of Lobanas compared to the populations of North West and South India. While there is a suggestion that the differences in genetic structure of Lobanas may be due to their historical affiliation but the overall genetic diversity in this population may also be influenced by inbreeding, admixture and selection due to change in socio-economic factors.

Serogenetic studies on the inhabitants of Tristan da Cunha.

The inhabitants of Tristan da Cunha, a remote island in the South Atlantic, number about 300 and are direct descendants of a small number of individuals who settled there in the first half of the nineteenth century. Some serogenetic studies were carried out on the islanders when they were evacuated to England in 1961 but 160 individuals have now been tested for a much wider range of gene markers. No variation was found at 15 loci while considerable variation was encountered at 12 loci. In particular, the high frequency of A1 and the complete absence of A2 in the ABO system was confirmed; the high frequency of Ro (cDe) in the Rhesus system and GdA, an allele at the G6PD locus, as well as the presence of three haplotypes in the Gm system (Gm1,5,6,14,17, Gm1,5,6,17 and Gm1,5,13,14,17) confirm the known historical origin of the women founders who came from St Helena. Although the degree of inbreeding is high there is no significant deficiency of heterozygotes in the eight informative systems.

Serogenetic studies on the Daga of the interior of the mainland of Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea

The Daga people of Milne Bay, the easternmost Province of Papua New Guinea, occupy an upland area but do extend to the coast. Linguistically they are Papuan and, unlike their Austronesian-speaking neighbours, they appear originally to have been an exclusively inland people. They have been in contact with missionaries and miners since the turn of the century, and genetic evidence of Caucasoid gene flow may be present in the finding of several lactose absorbers (reported elsewhere). They are the first non-Australian population in whom the second carbonic locus allele CA4II has been detected, which may indicate either recent gene flow from Australian aborigine or lend additional support to the suggestion that there was Australian contact with Papua before the coming of the Europeans. For the rest, their gene-marker profile is fairly typical of a non-highland population of New Guinea, though the low frequency of hereditary ovalocytosis tends to confirm their inland origins.

Sero-genetic studies on the Basters of Rehoboth, South West Africa/Namibia.

The Basters of Rehoboth in South West Africa/Namibia arose by hybridization between Caucasoids and Khoi ('Hottentots') in the northern Cape Province of South Africa during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, followed by migration of a single well-defined party to Rehoboth and the consolidation of an ethnocentric nation there. Although there has been some gene flow into the population during the twentieth century, the present sero-genetic study contributes further evidence for the hypothesis of Fisher (1913) that each ancestral strain had furnished an equal contribution to the population.

2.7. Properdin factor B (Bf) polymorphism in Sweden

The demographic research by R. M. Netting and W. Ellis in 1970 71, 1974 and 1977 about the relatively isolated population of Torbel (Canton of Wallis, Switzerland) offers a valuable source for a serogenetic study (blood groups, serum proteins, enzymes) and for a programme on the population genetics of this community. The historical data (since 1665) of the village represent fundamental information on the population changes (population dynamics), the familial structure of the population (pedigrees, gene pool) and its connections with other communities and valleys (migration). The blood research programme, undertaken with the collaboration of the Gerichtlich-Medizinisches Institut Zurich (H. Hartmann and M. Mahler) and the Zentrallaboratorium des Schweizerischen Roten Kreuzes Bern (R. Butler and R. Pflugshaupt), concerns seven blood groups, ten serum proteins and 17 enzymes of the red blood cells. Up to now, the research has led to the detection of some rare blood protein alleles (Gc’ c3) which are, respectively, rare phenotypes in the systems 6-PGD, Pi, Gc, C3 and Bf. Formal genetics of these rare phenotypes was done with the help of large families. Micro-evolutionary processes such as isolation, migration and genetic drift are considered as possible explanations for numerous statistically significant deviations in the allele frequencies of the Tijrbel population from other Swiss populations,

Serogenetic Studies on the Kamea (Kapau) Anga of the Interior of the Gulf Province of Papua

Though the Anga or Kukukuku of Papua New Guinea have been the subjects of occasional human biological investigations in the past, these have all been directed from the north, and their largest division, the Kamea or Kapau, who occupy the southeastern half of their territory, have been substantially neglected. The present paper describes the results of sero-genetic investigations of a small sample of Kamea, who are shown to resemble their fellow-Anga closely in the distribution of their genetic markers, though there are indications that the Kamea have received some gene flow from the south. On the whole, though, the relative uniformity of gene marker distribution throughout the Anga points strongly to their common origin, and the paucity of signs of immigrant gene flow from their neighbours, the victims of their raids, tends to confirm that they practised cannibalism rather than the genetic incorporation of captives.

Sero-Genetic Studies on the San of South West Africa

The San, a physically, culturally and linguistically distinctive people, have been shown by archaeological records anciently to have inhabited the whole of Eastern and Southern Africa. They, in common with the Khoi, the other members of the Khoisan race, are confined now to Southern Africa and principally to Botswana and South West Africa, though a number are also found in Angola. Sero-genetic data concerning seven South West African groups are presented in this study, and confirm a shared overall genetic profile characteristic of the San in general, slightly different from that of the Khoi and in significant contrast with that of the Negroes.

Serogenetic studies on the Kavango peoples of South West Africa

The closely interrelated matrilineal Kavango peoples of the far north-east of South West Africa are probably the least known inhabitants of that country. Their traditional historical and cultural affinities appear to be with the peoples of southern Angola and south-western Zambia; the suggested relationships with the Ambo further west are not linguistically tenable, though there is evidence of gene exchange. The Kavango comprise the Kwangali, the Mbunza, whom they are in process of absorbing, the Sambyu, the Gciriku, the Mbukushu and the Kwengo. The last-named of these have hitherto been accounted "Black Bushmen", but the serogenetic investigation of these peoples described here discloses that the affinities of the Kwengo are with their neighbours the Mbukushu, and they must therefore be accounted Negro rather than San. Genetic distance calculations are compatible with traditional history and hence with the suggestion that all these peoples share a fairly recent common origin.

Isonymic studies on the Griqua of the northern Cape Province, South Africa

SummaryThe Griqua, a people of mixed ancestry living mainly in the northern part of the Cape Province, South Africa, bear surnames of British, non-British North Western European, Khoisan, Sotho/Tswana and other Negro origin, as well as a number indicating probable descent from slaves. Bearing in mind the historical circumstances of the formation of the Griqua nation and the relative importance of pater and genitor in the social system, it is possible so to analyse these surnames as to derive a quantitative estimate of the varieties of admixture in the people. The results accord closely with, and amplify, those of a sero-genetic study, which in turn furnishes explanations for some points not amenable to isonymic analysis. The combination of both types of investigation has both provided mutual corroboration and enabled more information to be extracted than would have been possible from either type of investigation on its own.

Sero-genetic studies on the Dama of South West Africa.

The Dama of South West Africa are a Negroid people living as a reproductive isolate in the desert and semi-desert areas of the north-west of the country. Until recent times a large proportion of them were held in bondage by the Khoikhoi (Hottentot) Nama, while the rest lived as hunter-gatherers in the mountains. This study and the work of Knussmann and Knussmann indicate that they are a Negro people, which probably has been cut off over a period from contact with other Negroes. They have received very little genetic contribution from the Khoikhoi or the San (Bushmen). The results of this investigation of 24 blood genetic marker systems in a carefully selected random sample of Dama support these conclusions.

The Griqua of Campbell, Cape Provice, South Africa.

The Griqua of Campbell in the Cape Province of South Africa are reputed to be descended from an amalgam of Khoi ("Hottentots") with various Caucasoid, Negroid and East Asian elements at the Cape of Good Hope. A stormy history of migration and deprivation has left this small residuum on the edge of the Kalahari Desert. It was hoped that a sero-genetic study of these people, who proudly preserve their identity, might provide further insights into the genetic consitution of their Khoi forebears. Despite the retention of the language of their own, an social mores distinct from of other Mixed populations, they have been shown, however, to have received an appreciable inflow of non-Khoisan genes. This has probably resulted from social factors such as the prestige attaching to Griqua membership and the willingness of the Griqua to assimilate outsiders, combined with the tendency of Campbell Griqua to migrate elsewhere. There are no significant differences between "Griqua" members of the population and those who are not recognized as "Griqua."

Sero-genetic studies on the G/wi and G//ana San of Botswana.

The G/wi and G//ana San ('Bushmen') of the Central Kalahari Reserve, Botswana, live as cyclically migrant hunter-gatherer bands. They have some contact with one another, with the Negro Kgalagadi, and with White farmers near Ghanzi. Studies carried out on samples of these peoples from the Okwa Valley reveal a sero-genetic profile characteristic of the San in general, deviant from that of the Khoi ('Hottentots') and quite different from that of the Negroes. These findings help to substantiate the claim that the Khoisan peoples should be regarded as one of the major divisions of mankind and not simply as having comparatively recently evolved from a common stock with the Negroes.