Genetic and environmental influences on serum lipid levels in twins
Article Abstract:
Genetic factors appear to influence blood lipid levels more than environmental factors, and the influence of both on some lipids appears to decline with age. Of 302 pairs of twins aged 52 to 86, 146 pairs grew up separately, 113 pairs were identical twins and 189 pairs were fraternal twins. As expected, lipid levels in identical twins were more similar than those of fraternal twins, indicating the influence of genetics. Levels of total cholesterol and apolipoprotein B correlated most strongly for twins raised together, indicating the influence of environment on these factors. Heritability varied with the lipid measured. It also varied dramatically with age for apolipoprotein B and triglycerides but not for apolipoprotein A and high-density lipoproteins. Genetic influence and the effects of being raised together had a more significant influence on levels of apolipoprotein B in women than in men. The relative influence of genetics and the environment did not differ between sexes for any of the other blood lipids measured.
Publication Name: The New England Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0028-4793
Year: 1993
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Genetic influence on smoking - a study of male twins
Article Abstract:
Some individuals may be more likely to smoke than others partially because of genetic factors. A survey examined the smoking habits of 4,775 pairs of male twins between 1957 and 1969 at the age of 40 to 50 years old and between 1983 and 1985 at the age of 56 and 66 years old. Eighty percent of the men had smoked at some time in their lives. During the first survey, men who were identical twins were more likely to have the same smoking habits as their twin than men who were fraternal twins. Among the pairs of twins who smoked at the time of the first survey, both members of identical twin pairs were more likely than fraternal twin pairs to have quit smoking during the 16-years before the second survey. Cultural and familial factors can also influence an individual's smoking behaviour. Twins may also be exposed to the same set of cultural and familial influences during their lifetime.
Publication Name: The New England Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0028-4793
Year: 1992
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Genetic and environmental factors in age-related nuclear cataracts in monozygotic and dizygotic twins
Article Abstract:
Cataracts appear to have a very strong genetic component, according to a study of 506 pairs of female twins between 50 and 79 years of age. Of the 506, 226 were identical twins. Mathematical models showed that 48% of the risk of cataract was genetic, 38% was due to age, and 14% was due to environmental factors.
Publication Name: The New England Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0028-4793
Year: 2000
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