[Investigation of the distribution of haptoglobin genotypes in human populations]

Distribution of haptoglobin genotypes in a number of population specimens of the main World regions is studied. New statistics permitting to reveal deviation from the Hardy - Weinberg equilibrium and its direction (towards either deficiency or excess of heterozygotes) are proposed. S-statistics, based on the model of selection against homozygotes, can be used for quantitative estimation of the deviation. In this way, statistically significant excess of heterozygotes was found in European, North Asia and North American populations. In some areas, the coefficient of selection (S-statistics) is about 10%. Additional data which reflect different adaptive values of haptoglobin genotypes permit to suppose that the existence of haptoglobin polymorphism is provided by both higher fertility and lower viability of homozygotes Hp 2-2.