Bivariate whole-genome linkage scan for bone geometry and total body fat mass

To quantify the genetic correlations between total body fat mass (TBFM) and femoral neck geometric parameters (FNGPs) and, if possible, to detect the specific genomic regions shared by them, bivariate genetic analysis and bivariate whole-genome linkage scan were carried out in a large Caucasian population. All the phenotypes studied were significantly controlled by genetic factors (P < 0.001) with the heritabilities ranging from 0.45 to 0.68. Significantly genetic correlations were found between TBFM and CSA (cross-section area), W (sub-periosteal diameter), Z (section modulus) and CT (cortical thickness) except between TBFM and BR (buckling ratio). The peak bivariate LOD scores were 3.23 (20q12), 2.47 (20p11), 3.19 (6q27), 1.68 (20p12), and 2.47 (7q11) for the five pairs of TBFM and BR, CSA, CT, W, and Z in the entire sample, respectively. Gender-specific bivariate linkage evidences were also found for the five pairs. 6p25 had complete pleiotropic effects on the variations of TBFM & Z in the female sub-population, and 6q27 and 17q11 had coincident linkages for TBFM & CSA and TBFM & Z in the entire population. We identified moderate genetic correlations and several shared genomic regions between TBFM and FNGPs in a large Caucasian population.