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Comparative diagnoses of twin zygosity by SSLP variant analysis, questionnaire, and dermatoglyphic analysis

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Abstract

Zygosity diagnosis has been performed in 79 pairs of twins using three methods. Simple sequence repeat length polymorphism (SSLP) analysis allows an efficient classification (MZ or DZ) with only a few markers following a simplified technique of extraction and amplification. A method based on a full questionnaire completed by parents about twin similarity correctly classifies 97.46% of the pairs; 92.41% are correctly classified using only four questions as suggested by logistic regression analysis. The third method, using dermatoglyphic analyses, correctly classifies 86.76% of pairs. To lower the cost of DNA diagnosis we stress the possibility of limiting its use to pairs with scores in the overlap area between MZ and DZ twins with a validated questionnaire.

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Spitz, E., Moutier, R., Reed, T. et al. Comparative diagnoses of twin zygosity by SSLP variant analysis, questionnaire, and dermatoglyphic analysis. Behav Genet 26, 55–63 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02361159

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