The use of microsatellites in zygosity diagnosis of twins

Acta Genet Med Gemellol (Roma). 1993;42(1):45-51. doi: 10.1017/s0515283600042281.

Abstract

Although numerous genetic and anthropological markers are available for determining zygosity of twins, there is still a need for a more practical and informative method in zygosity diagnosis. Dinucleotide repeats or other short repeats (microsatellites) are highly variable between individuals and offer a simple, fast, cheap, and exact approach for zygosity determination. The feasibility of a set of microsatellites to be used for this purpose is demonstrated.

MeSH terms

  • Alleles
  • Base Sequence
  • DNA Probes
  • DNA, Satellite / genetics*
  • Germany
  • Humans
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Polymorphism, Genetic
  • Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid
  • Twins, Dizygotic*
  • Twins, Monozygotic*
  • White People / genetics

Substances

  • DNA Probes
  • DNA, Satellite