Zygosity determination in newborn twins using DNA variants.
A prerequisite for the optimal use of the twin method in human genetics is an accurate determination of the zygosity at birth. This diagnosis is sometimes hampered by the lack of available specific markers. We report here the use of DNA variants (restriction fragment length polymorphisms) as genetic markers for zygosity determination. We have analysed the placental DNA of 22 twin pairs with known zygosity on Southern blots by hybridisation with polymorphic human DNA probes. We looked at six different polymorphic sites using four restriction enzymes and six DNA probes. Among 10 dizygotic (DZ) pairs, only one was not demonstrably different and seven had at least two discordances. Within each of the 12 monozygotic (MZ) pairs there was complete concordance. Thus, nine of 10 dizygotic and 12 of 12 monozygotic twins were assigned their correct zygosity solely by comparison of six DNA variants. The use of these highly polymorphic DNA probes may have practical importance for antenatal diagnosis and paternity testing.
CiteULike 
Complore 
Connotea 
Del.icio.us 
Digg 
Reddit 
Technorati What's this?
This article has been cited by other articles:
-
Yang, M.-J., Tzeng, C.-H., Tseng, J.-Y., Huang, C.-Y.
(2006). Determination of twin zygosity using a commercially available STR analysis of 15 unlinked loci and the gender-determining marker amelogenin - a preliminary report. Hum Reprod
21: 2175-2179
[Abstract] [Full Text] -
Gielen, M., Pinto-Sietsma, S.-J., Zeegers, M. P., Loos, R. J., Fagard, R., de Leeuw, P. W., Beunen, G., Derom, C., Vlietinck, R.
(2005). Birth Weight and Creatinine Clearance in Young Adult Twins: Influence of Genetic, Prenatal, and Maternal Factors. J. Am. Soc. Nephrol.
16: 2471-2476
[Abstract] [Full Text] -
Pelsmaekers, B., Loos, R., Carels, C., Derom, C., Vlietinck, R.
(1997). The Genetic Contribution to Dental Maturation. JDR
76: 1337-1340
[Abstract]
- Full Text (PDF)
- Submit a response
- Alert me when this article is cited
- Alert me when eLetters are posted
- Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
- Email this link to a friend
- Similar articles in this journal
- Similar articles in PubMed
- Add article to my folders
- Download to citation manager
- Request Permissions
Citing Articles
Google Scholar
PubMed
- PubMed Citation
- Articles by Derom, C
- Articles by Pearson, P
- Pubmed/NCBI databases
Substance via MeSHMedline Plus Health Information Twins, Triplets, Multiple Births
Bookmark with
Register for free content
The full back archive is now available for all BMJ Journals. Institutional subscribers may access the entire archive as part of their subscription. Personal subscribers will also have access to all content when logged in. Non-subscribers who register have free access to all articles published before 2006 right back to volume 1 issue 1. Register here to access the free archive of all BMJ Journals.
Don't forget to sign up for content alerts so you keep up to date with all the articles as they are published.
