COMPARISONS OF DERMATOGLYPHIC PATTERNS IN MONOCHORIONIC AND DICHORIONIC MONOZYGOTIC TWINS

  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 30  (4) , 383-391
Abstract
Different influences affect dermatoglyphic pattern development in MC-MZ [monochorionic-monozygotic] and DC-MZ [dichorionic-monozygotic] twins. Only 5 of 84 variables had significant mean differences, but their clustering suggested a real difference in mean placement of the atd angle. Nineteen of 84 variables had significantly different within-pair mean squares for the 2 twin types. Larger numbers of twins are required to obtain accurate estimates of the magnitude of the dermatoglyphic differences between MC-MZ and DC-MZ twins. Studies of dermatoglyphics in MC-MZ and DC-MZ twins are important to the understanding of factors which influence early embryonic development, and when better documented they may provide a mechanism for retrospectively diagnosing placental type of MZ twins.