Phenotypic assortative mating in segregation analysis

A model of phenotypic assortative mating was developed for application in segregation analysis. The model assumed a constant spouse correlation across the range of a quantitative trait or the liability to a discrete trait. Four traits were analyzed to evaluate: 1) the feasibility of applying likelihood analysis to pedigree data in order to distinguish between assortative mating and shared environmental effects as the source of spouse correlation; and 2) the impact on segregation analysis of the failure to account for either assortative mating or shared environmental effects, as appropriate. Height ratio (the ratio of sitting to standing height) and eye color comprised the traits for which the observed spouse correlation reflected assortative mating; serum cholesterol and peptic ulcers (with genotypes defined by the ABO blood group) comprised the traits for which the observed spouse correlation reflected shared environmental effects. For all four traits the test statistics agreed with the known cause of spouse correlation; however, significance was not attained for height ratio or serum cholesterol. The ability to distinguish between the causes of spouse correlation in pedigree data presumably depends on trait and sample characteristics which remain to be delineated. Despite significant spouse correlation, its omission from the segregation analysis model did not undermine the inference of major locus inheritance for any of the four traits. However, the lack of an impact for these traits does not preclude an impact for other traits of ignoring the appropriate spouse correlation in segregation analysis.