study of within-pair discrimination of genetically identified monozygotic twins

ABSTRACT

10 pairs of morphologically concordant, like-sexed twins whose monozygositywere confirmed by HLA-DR genomic typing using a combination of PCRamplification and DNA heteroduplex analysis were subjected for within-paircomparison of fingernail striation patterns and some dermatoglyphic traits offingertips, middle phalanges, palms, toes and soles. Fingernail striationpattern showed large areas of similarity between both members of monozygotic[MZ] twin, but it was still unique. So, they could be used for within-pairdiscrimination of MZ twins. Both qualitative and quantitative dermatoglyphicanalyses revealed that within-pair pattern symmetry is best illustrated bycomparing palmar and plantar patterns on heterologous [right versus left andvice versa] palms and soles. Also, middle phalanges gave high percentage ofpattern symmetry on homologous fingers. However, fingertip and toe patternsshowed high% of within-pair pattern asymmetry; thus, they are the mosthelpful dermatoglyphic traits for within-pair discrimination