Population genetic studies in Nigeria

摘要

This investigation was aimed to analyse the distribution of some of the most common genetic markers in the Nigerian population. Blood specimens from 575 Nigerians of different ethnic origin were examined with regard to several blood- and serum-group systems, and, in order to make the analysis as complete and conclusive as possible, the results obtained were compiled and compared with results from a number of previously reported investigations. During the analysis of the Hp data, a considerable difference in anhaptoglobinaemia rate appeared between men and women, and between women who were not and had never been pregnant and women who were or had been pregnant at least once. Furthermore, it was found that the Hp1 gene frequency was significantly lower in men than in women who were or had been pregnant. This finding is in agreement with the fact that individuals of phenotype Hp 1–1 ordinarily have higher haptoglobin levels than those of phenotype Hp 2–2.