ABO, MN, Kell, Hp and Gm1 markers in elderly humans

The prevalence of the markers of blood groups ABO, MN, Kell, Hp, Gm1 was determined in 723 persons belonging to three age groups: from 61 to 91 years, and was compared with a similar study in a population of adults aged 20 to 60 years. It was found that with respect to MN markers the proportion of NN homozygotes was significantly increased, mainly in females aged 71-80 years. In the haptoglobin system a considerable increase was noted in the prevalence of Hp 1-1 phenotype and the appearance of ahaptoglobinaemia. Increased prevalence of the Gm1 marker was observed only in females aged 71-80 years. On the other hand, no significant differences were noted in the frequency of the phenotypes of the ABO and Kell blood groups. These preliminary results confirm the stability of the serological polymorphism in the ABO and Kell blood groups, and in the remaining blood groups studied a natural selection may be supposed to exist. Characteristic changes in the distribution of the frequency of the determined genetic markers encourage the continuation of such studies.