Racial Differences in the Length of the Human Y Chromosome

Abstract

Variation in the length of the Y chromosome in a population of 100 males, derived from five different racial and ethnic sub-groups, was investigated. The Y chromosome and selected autosomes were measured in 1000 metaphase cells. Statistical analysis of the data demonstrates significant differences in mean length of the Y among some of the groups as well as among the individuals within each group. The mean length of the Japanese Y chromosome was significantly greater than that of all other groups. Among a sample of 736 circular metaphase plates, the Y chromosome was peripherally located in 241 cells.