Abstract
It has been suggested that carriers of the cystic fibrosis (CF) gene may have a larger family size and that the concentration of NaCl in the cervical mucus of heterozygous females might be more favorable to the survival and motility of spermatozoa. Moreover, an excess of males in sibships of affected individuals has been observed. We investigated the relationship between CF carrier parent and the sex ratio in the offspring. The data obtained on 100 CF family groups and 405 control families are tabulated below:
The results are compatible with the hypothesis that the female carrier is responsible for the excess of males in CF families. Therefore, the elucidation of the physical-chemical characteristics of the genital secretions of the female carriers seem to be important. One may further speculate that the factors influencing sex ratio also influence the equilibrium frequencies of the CF gene in any given population.
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Gloria-Bottini, F., Antonelli, M., Quattrucci, S. et al. CYSTIC FIBROSIS: EVIDENCE OF RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SEX OF THE CARRIER AND SEX RATIO OF ITS OFFSPRING. Pediatr Res 11, 456 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197704000-00517
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197704000-00517