Genetic versus Environmental Analysis of Reproductive Behavior of Female Twins

Abstract

The study aims at investigating the relationship between environmental and hereditary causes of reproductive behaviour, which would otherwise be difficult to study. Materials and Methods:This cross-sectional descriptive study of the female reproductive health of twins investigated the heritability of qualitative and quantitative measured variables related to the reproductive behaviour of adult twins. Subjects included192 identical and non-identical twins, 15 years of age and above, who were living in urban areas of Malaysia.Results: Basic genetic analysis for variables related to reproductive behaviour revealed that the age of first pregnancy, number of pregnancies and age of first marriage were under genetic influence. Proband wise concordance rate analysis showed higher similarity between identical twins in adopting recommended reproductive behaviour such as undergoing pap smears and using family planning techniques. The model-fitting analysis supported these findings. Conclusion:We concluded that genetic variation exists in individual differences in the reproductive behaviour of young female adults.