Study of Serological and Morphogenetic Variability among Students in Federal Polytechnic, Ile-Oluji, Ondo State

Background: Human beings, like all living organisms, are characterized by the presence of genetically inherited physical and/or physiological characters which made them to be genetically distinct from each other. These traits, known as morphogenetic traits, are transmitted in autosomal dominant or recessive fashion. This study strives to determine the distribution, association and inheritance pattern of morphogenetic characters among students of Federal Polytechnic Ile-Oluji, Ondo State, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A random sample of four hundred (male 219 and female 181) students were evaluated for two serological (blood group and rhesus factor) and ten morphogenetic traits including, earlobe attachment, bent little finger, widow’s peak, hitchhiker’s thumb, tongue rolling, tongue flipping, cleft chin, mid-phalangeal hair, eye colour and polydactyly. The data obtained were expressed in simple percentages. Chi- square analysis was used to test for statistically significant associations between observed allelic and genotypic frequency at 5% level of significance. Results and Discussions: The study revealed Blood group O as the most prevalent (47%) followed by A (22.75%), B (18.5%) while the least was AB (11.75%). Over 91% of these population were Rh (D) positive while over 8% were Rh (D) negative. The other genetic traits were observed in frequencies; attached earlobe (57.25%), bent little finger (27.5%), widow’s peak (34.25%), hitchhiker’s thumb (65.75%), tongue rolling (54.25%), tongue flipping (23%), cleft chin (24%), mid-digital hair (42%), dark eye colour (31%) and polydactyly (26.75%). Association analysis showed the presence of association between gender and all the traits excepting widow’s peak (χ2 = 19.7, p = 0.000), cleft chin (χ2 = 11.5, p = 0.000) and polydactyl (χ2 = 12.2, p = 0.000). Conclusion: Recessive traits were much more prevalent in the sampled population. The results obtained established baseline data for this population, and it can be used for medically, legally and also for anthropological studies.