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A multivariate analysis of the relationship between parental age and birth order and the human secondary sex ratio

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 July 2008

J Garfinkel  and
S Selvin
J Garfinkel
Affiliation:
Department of Biomedical and Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
S Selvin
Affiliation:
Department of Biomedical and Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
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Extract

The variables maternal age, paternal age, and birth order are studied for possible effects on the human secondary sex ratio. Several multivariate models are applied to a set of over 1·4 million births to assess the effects of these three highly correlated variables. Also investigated is the polynomial regression model used by Novitski & Kimball (1958) in their approach to the same problem. Analysis of the present data shows a weak and negative association between sex ratio and birth order and the suggestion of a similar association with paternal age.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Biosocial Science , Volume 8 , Issue 2 , April 1976 , pp. 113 - 121
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1976

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