Genetic polymorphisms in selected populations in south west and south Asia

Abstract

This thesis describes the genetic polymorphisms in selected populations in South West and South Asia. Samples from Kuwait and Iran represented the Middle East, while the Panjabis of northern India and the Nepalese illustrated the South of Asia. The methods used to detect these polymorphisms were serological and electrophoretic techniques. A total of 162 Kuwaitis were screened for 5 blood group, 2 serum protein and 6 enzyme systems. No variants were detected in the transferrin, lactate dehydrogenase and malate dehydrogenase systems. The Kuwaitis were found to fit reasonably well into the known Arabian gene frequency distributions with regard to many genetic parameters. Two groups from Iran - the Tehran (196) and Isfahan Iranians (112) - were similarly tested for 7 blood group, 2 serum protein and 7 enzyme systems, as well as for abnormal haemoglobin variants. The groups were found to be genetically homogeneous. Of especial interest was the finding of an appreciable frequency of the Lutheran gene in the Isfahanis and a high frequency of the ABO gene q in the Tehranis. In the Indian Sub-continent, a series of 360 Panjabis tested for six blood groups were compared with selected populations of northern India. Phenotype and gene frequencies were found to be comparable with the northern values. Of the 313 specimens, typed for 2 serum proteins, a single individual exhibited a transferrin CB variant. The results of six enzyme systems did not reveal notable frequency differences between the Panjabis and the state populations of India. The Nepalese (212) examined for the forementioned systems were compared with selected populations from India and South East Asia. Their results differed from the Indians but showed resemblances with the Mongoloids. Finally, a general comparison was made and some of the characteristic features were discussed in the light of factors that influence them.