Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

On the peripheral location of the Y chromosome

  • Original Investigations
  • Published:
Human Genetics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

The location of the Y chromosome in metaphase spreads is studied in groups of (a) 96 normal males, (b) 17 Down's syndrome patients, and (c) 51 patients with Klinefelter's syndrome. The position of the Y is scored as either peripheral or nonperipheral using several of the traditional definitions found in the literature. It is shown that contradictory results may be obtained depending on the particular definition employed and that none of the available definitions capture the essence of the meaning of ‘peripheral’. Therefore a new, standardized definition is introduced—one that applies to both circular and noncircular spreads. Using this new definition, we find definite intergroup variability. The Y is peripheral in normal males, but not in either the Down's or Klinefelter's samples.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Back, E., Zang, K. D.: Quantitative studies on the arrangement of human metaphase chromosomes. II. Influence of the preparation technique on the association pattern of the acrocentric chromosomes. Cytogenetics 8, 304–314 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Barton, D. E., David, F. N., Merrington, M.: The relative position of the chromosomes in the human cell in mitosis. Ann. Hum. Genet. 29, 139–146 (1965)

    Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, M. M., Shaw, M. W., MacCluer, J. W.: Racial differences in the length of the human Y chromosome. Cytogenetics 5, 34–52 (1966)

    Google Scholar 

  • Comings, D. E.: The rationale for an ordered arrangement of chromatin in the interphase nucleus. Am. J. Hum. Genet. 20, 440–460 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Cooke, P.: Non-random participation of chromosomes 13, 14, and 15 in acrocentric associations. Humangenetik 13, 309–314 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Gripenberg, U.: Size variation and orientation of the human Y chromosome. Chromosoma 15, 618–629 (1964)

    Google Scholar 

  • Harris, J. E., Nasjleti, C. E., Kowalski, C. J.: Discrimination between groups of chromosomes and individual chromosomes in the normal karyotype. Chromosoma (Berl.) 40, 269–284 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kowalski, C. J.: The performance of some rough tests for bivariate normality before and after coordinate transformations to normality. Technometrics 12, 517–544 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kowalski, C. J.: Relationship between smoking and calculus deposition. J. Dent. Res. 50, 101–104 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kowalski, C. J., Nasjleti, C. E., Harris, J. E.: Human chromosomes. Evidence for autosomal sexual dimorphism. Exp. Cell Res. 100, 56–62 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller, O. J., Mukherjee, B. B., Breg, W. R., van Gamble, A.: Non-random distribution of chromosomes in metaphase figures from cultured human leukocytes. I. The peripheral location of the Y chromosome. Cytogenetics 2, 1–14 (1963a)

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller, O. J., Breg, W. R., Mukherjee, B. D., van Gamble, A., Christakos, A. C.: Non-random distribution of chromosomes in metaphase figures from cultured human leukocytes. II. The peripheral location of chromosomes 13, 17–18 and 21. Cytogenetics 2, 152–168 (1963b)

    Google Scholar 

  • Moorhead, P. S., Nowell, P. C., Mellman, W. J., Battips, D. D., Hungerford, D. M.: Chromosome preparation of leukocytes cultured from human peripheral blood. Exp. Cell Res. 20, 613–616 (1960)

    Google Scholar 

  • Nasjleti, C. E., Walden, J. M., Spencer, H. H.: Polyploidization and aberration of human chromosomes induced in vitro and in vivo with ionizing radiations. J. Nucl. Med. 7, 159–176 (1966)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ockey, C. H.: The positions of chromosomes at metaphase in human fibroblasts and their DNA synthesis behavior. Chromosoma (Berl.) 27, 308–320 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Seabright, M.: A rapid banding technique for human chromosomes. Lancet 1971 II, 971–972

    Google Scholar 

  • Spence, M. A., Francke, U., Forsythe, A. B.: Evidence against the peripheral location of the Y chromosome in human metaphase cells. Cytogenet. Cell Genet. 12, 49–52 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dental Research Institute, University of Michigan, 1034, Kellogg Building, 48109, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    Charles J. Kowalski

  2. Veterans Administration Hospital, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA

    C. E. Nasjleti & Becky Schmitt

Authors
  1. Charles J. Kowalski
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. C. E. Nasjleti
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Becky Schmitt
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Supported, in part, by the Medical Research Service of the Veterans Administration

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Kowalski, C.J., Nasjleti, C.E. & Schmitt, B. On the peripheral location of the Y chromosome. Hum Genet 44, 123–135 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00295405

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00295405

Keywords

Search

Navigation