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The Coupon Collection Behavior in Human Reproduction
1Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China.
Current Biology : CB
|August 9, 2020
Summary
Human reproductive behavior shows a surprising trend: families are having children of both sexes, similar to a "coupon collector
Area of Science:
- Human Genetics
- Population Genetics
- Behavioral Genetics
Background:
- Genetic factors influence the probability of male births (Pboy).
- Existing research suggests potential variation in Pboy among families.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the variation in the sex ratio (SR) among families.
- To investigate the underlying reproductive behaviors influencing SR variation.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of UK Biobank survey data from over 300,000 participants born between 1940 and 1970.
- Statistical analysis to compare observed SR variation with expected variation under uniform Pboy.
- Examination of Dutch genealogical data spanning four centuries.
Main Results:
- Observed among-family variation in SR was significantly smaller than expected, suggesting non-random reproductive patterns.
- A 'coupon-collecting' reproductive strategy, aiming for children of both sexes, explains the reduced SR variation in 3.3% of families.
- This behavior increased in popularity after 1940, as evidenced by a drop in SR variation in recent Dutch genealogical data.
Conclusions:
- A significant proportion of couples now employ a 'coupon-collecting' strategy in reproduction, leading to more homogeneous SR among families.
- This behavioral shift explains the reduced variation in the sex ratio observed in contemporary populations.
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