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Genetic study in Greek Sarakatsans. I. Blood groups and enzyme polymorphisms

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International Journal of Anthropology

Abstract

A random sample from the endogamic population of Greek Sarakatsans has been studied for eight blood groups, eleven enzymic genetic systems and haemoglobin variants. The allelic frequencies of the polymorphic loci have been compared with those of other samples from the Greek mainland and other European populations. The Sarakatsans tend to resemble their neighbours. The comparison with European populations indicates that the Sarakatsans have gene frequencies similar to other Mediterranean and European populations. However, the monomorphism of the Kell system, the low frequency of the ACP*B, AK*1 and GLO*1 allelas and the high frequency of the ACP*C, ESD*1 and GPT*1 alleles, are some of the distinguishing features of Sarakatsans. Furthermore, the Sarakatsans are not a high risk population for G6PD deficiency and haemoglobinopathies.

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Kouvatsi, A., Triantaphyllidis, C.D., Peios, C. et al. Genetic study in Greek Sarakatsans. I. Blood groups and enzyme polymorphisms. Int. J. Anthropol. 9, 321–327 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02447575

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02447575

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