Abstract
Lp(a) lipoprotein [Lp(a)] was quantified in 1251 adults, including 300 mother-father-offspring triplets, by a sensitive radial immunodiffusion assay. Lp(a) was not correlated with age, sex, or cholesterol or glyceride concentrations. Significant correlations were found between mother-offspring (r=0.34), father-offspring (r=0.40), and midparent-offspring (r=0.52), whereas no correlation was found between husband-wife pairs (r=0.02). Analysis of triplets separated on the basis of midparent Lp(a) concentrations indicated a resemblance of midparent to offspring regardless of midparent concentration. Bimodality was not detected in any of the offspring distributions. These data are compatible with the hypothesis that the observed quantitative Lp(a) variation is determined by a polygenic model of inheritance. The possibility of major gene effects is not ruled out.
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These studies were supported in part by PHS Contract NHLI-71-2157, PHS Grant HL-15263, and American Heart Association Grant 72-639 (supported in part by the Idaho Heart Association and the Northeastern Chapter of the Washington State Heart Association) to J. A.; Dr. William R. Hazzard, Investigator of Howard Hughes Medical Institute.
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Albers, J.J., Wahl, P. & Hazzard, W.R. Quantitative genetic studies of the human plasma Lp(a) lipoprotein. Biochem Genet 11, 475–486 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00486079
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00486079