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Changes in the DZ Unlike/Like Sex Ratio in The Netherlands

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 August 2014

J.F. Orlebeke ,
A.W. Eriksson ,
D.I. Boomsma ,
R. Vlietinck ,
F.J. Tas  and
E.C. de Geus
J.F. Orlebeke*
Affiliation:
Department of Physiological Psychology, Free University of Amsterdam, Netherlands
A.W. Eriksson
Affiliation:
Institute of Human Genetics, Free University of Amsterdam, Netherlands
D.I. Boomsma
Affiliation:
Department of Physiological Psychology, Free University of Amsterdam, Netherlands
R. Vlietinck
Affiliation:
Department of Human Biology, Catholic University, Leuven, Belgium
F.J. Tas
Affiliation:
Central Bureau of Statistics, Voorburg, Netherlands
E.C. de Geus
Affiliation:
Department of Physiological Psychology, Free University of Amsterdam, Netherlands
*
Department of Physiological Psychology, Free University, de Boelelaan 1111, 1081 HV Amsterdam, Netherlands

Abstract

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Based on Dutch twin incidence figures since the beginning of the current century, evidence is provided in support of the idea that the DZ unlike/like sexed ratio has gradually shifted (since 1900) from unity to less than unity. Opposing conclusions with regard to the justification of the use of Weingberg's differential rule are very probably correct in themselves but could depend on country and period of birth of the twin sample used. Furthermore, the fast drop and subsequent rise in DZ twinning rate between about 1963 and 1990 can very likely for the greater part be ascribed to a parallel shift in maternal age.

Keywords

Weinberg's ruleTwinning rateSex ratio
Type
Research Article
Information
Acta geneticae medicae et gemellologiae: twin research , Volume 40 , Issue 3-4 , October 1991 , pp. 319 - 323
Copyright
Copyright © The International Society for Twin Studies 1991

References

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