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Genetic and environmental correlations among skinfold measures
A G Comuzzie1, J Blangero, M C Mahaney
1Department of Genetics, Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research, San Antonio, Texas.
Summary
Genetic and environmental factors significantly influence skinfold thickness in Mexican Americans. Shared genetic influences, particularly pleiotropy, largely determine fat distribution patterns, alongside constant environmental effects.
Area of Science:
- Human genetics
- Quantitative genetics
- Anthropometry
Background:
- Body fat distribution is a complex trait influenced by genetic and environmental factors.
- Understanding the interplay of these factors is crucial for metabolic and cardiovascular health research.
- Previous studies have not fully partitioned the phenotypic correlations of skinfold measurements into genetic and environmental components.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the genetic and environmental correlations among eight skinfold measurements in a Mexican American cohort.
- To determine the extent to which genetic pleiotropy influences regional fat distribution patterns.
- To differentiate shared genetic effects from shared environmental effects on skinfold thickness.
Main Methods:
- Bivariate genetic analysis using variance decomposition and maximum likelihood methods.
- Calculation of genetic and environmental correlation coefficients for eight skinfold sites.
- Principal component analysis of phenotypic, genetic, and environmental correlation matrices.
Main Results:
- Significant genetic and environmental correlations were found among the examined skinfold traits.
- Higher genetic correlations were observed between skinfolds from the same body region (e.g., triceps, biceps).
- Environmental correlations were relatively constant across all skinfold pairs, suggesting a shared environmental influence.
Conclusions:
- Phenotypic correlations in skinfold thickness are substantially influenced by genetic factors, particularly pleiotropy.
- Regional fat distribution patterns are largely driven by the genetic correlation structure.
- Skinfold thickness traits are not independent, sharing both genetic and environmental influences.