GM, KM immunoglobulin allotypes and other serum genetic makers (HP, GC, PI, and TF) among South American populations living at different altitudes (Jujuy Province, Argentina): Admixture estimates

A total of 154 individuals belonging to three populations located at differ ent altitude levels in northwest Argentina (San Salvador de Jujuy, 1200 m; Tilcara, 2500 m; Abra Pampa, 3500 m) were studied for the GM, KM, HP, GC, P I and TF genetic systems. Individuals were selected on the basis of ethnocu ltural affiliation. Gene frequency values were found to be comparable to th ose reported for other South American populations. The populations studied showed a close genetic identity and an absence of interpopulation heterogen eity. Distribution of the GM phenotypes and haplotypes corresponds to histo rical data on human settlements in Jujuy Province. The presence of some all eles and the anthropological significance of the allele distribution are di scussed, as are the effects of the admixture with Africans and Spaniards, T he genetic pattern appears to be the result of a varying admixture due to t he genetic isolation in populations located at Various altitude levels.