Esterase D polymorphism in some endogamous populations of Andhra Pradesh

Esterase D polymorphism was investigated in six endogamous Brahmin sub-sects and in the Mala and Madiga castes of Andrah Pradesh. The ESD 2 gene frequency ranged between 0.184 and 0.405. The frequencies obtained did not show variation in the range of ESD 2 gene frequency from the other populations of India.     

C3 types in some endogamous populations of Andhra Pradesh

The distribution of C3 phenotypes was studied in some endogamous caste groups of Andhra Pradesh, South India. The C3F allele was found to be at a low frequency and comparable to those found in castes of other regions on the Indian subcontinent.     

Genetic differentiation among some endogamous populations of Andhra Pradesh,India

Endogamous populations belonging to Brahmin, Vysya, Mala, and Madiga castes of Andhra Pradesh, South India, were investigated for certain red cell enzyme and serum protein genetic markers. Frequency values were statistically analyzed to assess genetic variation among the populations. Average heterozygosity of ten loci and genetic diversity within and between the populations were calculated by using the methods of Nei. Nei's index was used to calculate genetic distances between the pairs of populations. A dendrogram was drawn adapting the modified unweighted pair group method suggested by Li, which agreed with the history of the populations.     

Glyoxylase I phenotypes in some endogamous populations of Andhra Pradesh, India

The distribution of glyoxylase (GLO) I phenotypes in six endogamous subgroups of Brahmins and in the Mala and Madiga castes of Andhra Pradesh was investigated. The GLO I gene frequencies ranged from 0.2444 to 0.3575. The frequency of 0.3565 found in the Mala is the highest recorded on the Indian subcontinent.     

Ancestral consanguinity and mortality among three endogamous populations of Chittoor District, Andhra Pradesh, India

Consanguineous marriages have been practiced around the globe by many societies from time immemorial, particularly in South India. Consanguineous marriages play a major role in the health of a population, and diseases leading to mortality of the progeny are a consequence of detrimental recessive genes. To evaluate the effects of ancestral consanguinity on mortality in relation to consanguineous marriage, we have ascertained data from 1,500 women belonging to three endogamous communities (Akuthota Reddy, Odde, and Madiga) of Chittoor District, Andhra Pradesh, India. There were 500 women from each community. For each marriage we drew a family pedigree, extended upward to two earlier generations on either side of the spouses, to determine the prevalence and pattern of consanguinity, with detailed information on fertility and mortality. We observed a significant difference in the mortality rates between consanguineous and nonconsanguineous marriages when all the marriages of the women, women's parents, and (women's) husband's parents were considered in all three communities. In inbreeding, the offspring of earlier generations might have passed on deleterious genes to later generations (under unfavorable conditions), which resulted in a negative aspect of reproduction (among the offspring of the present couple).     

Red cell enzyme polymorphism in two populations of coastal Andhra Pradesh, South India

Four red cell enzyme polymorphisms: Esterase-D (ESD), Glyoxalase-I (GL01), Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) and Phosphoglucomutase (PGM1 and 2), have been studied in two endogamous populations (paidi and Valmiki) of North Coastal Andhra Pradesh, South India. Inter group comparison by chisquare analysis revealed no significant differences among them. An attempt was made to compare with those available for other populations from Andhra Pradesh.     

Effects of consanguineous marriages on fertility among three endogamous groups of Andhra Pradesh

Abstract

For the present study three castes representing three socioeconomic levels have been selected from Andhra Pradesh, South India. Members of the wealthier castes married consanguineously more frequently than did the members of the lower‐ranking castes. The consanguineous unions among all the castes are found to be more fertile than are nonconsanguineous unions. Indeed, fertility increases with degree of relationship of the spouses. Number of pregnancies and live births are significantly (P = 0.01) higher among consanguineous unions (among all the castes). However, the difference in the number of surviving offspring between consanguineous and nonconsanguineous unions is not significant among the wealthier castes. This suggests that child mortality is higher among the offspring of consanguineous unions in spite of their greater wealth.     

Effects of consanguineous marriages on fertility among three endogamous groups of Andhra Pradesh

To assess interrelationships between consanguineous marriage and fertility, 3 caste groups in Andhra Pradesh--the Desuri Kapu, an affluent agricultural caste; the Devanga, an artisan caste in the middle range of the hierarchy; and the Mala, a scheduled caste at the bottom--were selected for field study. Consanguineous marriages are an essential part of the social structure in this area of southern India. A total of 2524 marriages were analyzed, of which 46% were consanguineous. 19% of consanguineous marriages were between uncle and niece, 22% were between 1st cousins, and 5% were between more distant cousins. The Devanga had the highest rate of related marriages (48%), followed by the Desuri Kapu (47%) and the Mala (41%). Higher caste individuals, and wealthier persons within each caste, are more likely to marry relatives so they can avoid splitting their properties through dowry of bride price. The consanguineous unions as a whole were significantly more fertile than nonconsanguineous unions. The mean number of pregnancies, live births, and surviving offspring was 4.85, 4.44, and 2.99, respectively, among consanguineous couples compared with 3.41, 3.32, and 2.87, respectively, among nonconsanguineous couples. Although the number of pregnancies and live births was significantly higher among consanguineous couples in all 3 castes compared with nonconsanguineous couples, the difference in the number of surviving children between consanguineous and nonconsanguineous unions was not significant among the wealthier castes. This suggests that child mortality is higher among the offspring of consanguineous unions, despite their greater wealth.     

Inbreeding among three endogamous groups in a multicaste village of Andhra Pradesh,India

Abstract

The frequency of consanguineous marriages was studied in three endogamous castes, the Reddis (Kapus), Yadavas (Gollas), and Madigas of Marripadu village in South India. Inbreeding was higher among the Yadavas (Gollas) (0.0312) and Madigas (0.0271) than among the Reddis (Kapus) (0.0154) due to their higher frequencies of uncle‐niece marriages.     

Placental alkaline phosphatase polymorphism in some Punjabi populations

Placental isozyme of alkaline phosphatase (orthophosphoric monoester hydrolase, EC 3.1.3.1.) has been studied in very few Indian populations with respect to its polymorphic form. The present study surveys the alleles encountered in some Punjabi groups of Northern India. The distinguishing physico-chemical properties of this isozyme, viz. heat stability, steady increase in maternal plasma during the course of pregnancy, and unique electrophoretic mobility have been used for its typing. The Punjabi groups surveyed are Jat (Sikh), Baniya and Khatri (all endogamous castes) and Lower Castes and others (two mixed caste groups). These groups were found to be in Hardy-Weinberg-equilibrium, and some of them revealed intergroup heterogeneity, when compared with each other. Further comparison with other Indian populations, for which data were available, also revealed interesting results.     

Placental alkaline phosphatase polymorphism in some Italian populations

Summary Gene frequencies of Pl alleles for alkaline phosphatase of human placenta have been studied in the populations of Rome and L'Aquila. The latter represents a mixed sample of descendants from ancient Italic populations which in the last 20 centuries have been free from significant immigratory influx.The Pl gene frequencies in the two Italian populations are significantly different, the Pl ^s ₁ frequency being lower and Pl ^f ₁ frequency higher in the population of L'Aquila as compared to the population of Rome. The gene frequency of the 3 common Pl alleles in the population of Rome are quite similar to that found in some Northern-European populations. The frequency of the Pl ^s ₁ allele observed in the population of L'Aquila is the lowest (and correspondingly that for Pl ^f ₁ allele is the highest) amongst all populations studied so far.     

Inbreeding among endogamous groups in three multicaste villages of Srikakulam district,Andhra Pradesh,India

Abstract

In the present paper 702 families have been studied belonging to different endogamous groups in three multicaste villages of Srikakulam District, Andhra Pradesh. It is observed that 33.76 per cent of families are consanguineous marriages. With regard to the types of marriages, 12.11 per cent are uncle‐niece; 14.10 per cent are matrilateral cross‐cousins; 5.84 per cent are patrilateral cross‐cousins; 0.57 per cent are first cousins once removed, and 1.14 per cent are second cousins. There are only six couples (0.86 per cent) in intercaste marriages. The coefficient of inbreeding for autosomal and sex‐linked genes, 0.045 and 0.059, respectively, for Chakalis which are higher than Kalingas (F = 0.03; F1 = 0.038), Segidis (F = 0.031; F1 = 0.041), Velamas (F = 0.026; F1 = 0.036), Vysyas (F = 0.027; F1 = 0.034), Malas (F = 0.017; F1 = 0.026), and others (F = 0.026; F1 = 0.032). The t‐tests for mean marriage distances are statistically significant among all castes, but chi‐squares for intergroup difference of consanguineous and nonconsanguineous marriages are statistically significant only among Kalingas and Chakalis, Vysyas and Chakalis, and Malas and Chakalis.     

Sickle cell gene haplotypes in Relli and Thurpu Kapu populations of Andhra Pradesh

We performed polymerase chain reaction analysis of 8 restriction-site polymorphisms in the beta-globin gene cluster to define haplotypes and provide hematological profiles of Relli and Thurpu Kapu caste populations in Andhra Pradesh, India. In all sickle cell homozygous subjects, the clinical manifestation of the disease is benign with elevated fetal hemoglobin levels (3.9%-21.1%). Clinical symptoms in some of the sickle cell homozygous subjects include jaundice, leg ulcers, and splenomegaly. Molecular analysis of the sickle cell gene (HBB*S) reveals the presence of the ubiquitous Arab-Indian haplotype in both populations. We encountered, for the first time, a rare, atypical haplotype ((+)-------) in a sickle cell homozygous individual of the Thurpu Kapu population, presumably the result of gene conversion.     

Serum albumin variants from populations of Andhra Pradesh,S. India

Summary 1108 tribal and 1062 non-tribal individuals from three districts of Andhra Pradesh were examined, for serum albumin variants. A slow-moving variant, identical to Albumin Kashmir was found in a single Muslim individual. Another new slow-moving variant, faster than Albumin Kashmir found in a single individual of a Koya Dora tribe is designated as Albumin Koya Dora.     

Blood groups among brahmin and kamma caste populations of coastal Andhra Pradesh

Blood specimens from Brahmin and Kamma caste populations of Coastal Andhra Pradesh, India are examined for A₁A₂BO, MNSs, and Rhesus blood groups. Predominance of A group in Brahmins and B group in Kammas is observed. Phenotype A₂ records less than 4% in both populations. High frequencies of genes M, s, D, and e are exhibited among both populations. Statistically significant differences are found only for A₁A₂BO system between Brahmins and Kammas.     

Influence of educational levels of the spouses on consanguinity among three endogamous groups of Andhra Pradesh,South India

The highest values of consanguinity was found among “Kamma” (45.0%), “Ediga” (47.5%) and “Mala” (55.7%) who occupy different strata of Indian caste hierarchy. In the way of searchout the factors influencing consanguineous marriages, the present paper finda the negative relationship between educational levels of the spouses and consanguinity. The educational levels of men has significant effect on the frequency of consanguinious marriages among “Kamma” and “Mala”. However, further analysis deplore significant differences in the mean levels consanguinity between educational groups. It divulge low level of higher education among the populations. Only 12% of men and 1.6% of women have degree level and above education in the total sample.