Genome-wide scan demonstrates significant linkage for male sexual orientation. Issue 7 (17th November 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sanders, A. R.; Martin, E. R.; Beecham, G. W.; Guo, S.; Dawood, K.; Rieger, G.; Badner, J. A.; Gershon, E. S.; Krishnappa, R. S.; Kolundzija, A. B.; Duan, J.; Gejman, P. V.; Bailey, J. M.
• Is Part Of: Psychological medicine. Volume 45:Issue 7(2015)
• Page Start: 1379
• Page End: 1388
• Publication Date: 2014-11-17
• Subjects: Chromosome 8, -- chromosome Xq28, -- complex trait, -- genome-wide linkage scan, -- human, -- male sexual orientation.; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Medicine and psychology -- Periodicals; Clinical psychology -- Periodicals; 616.89
• DOI: 10.1017/S0033291714002451
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0033-2917

Abstract

Abstract : Background: Findings from family and twin studies support a genetic contribution to the development of sexual orientation in men. However, previous studies have yielded conflicting evidence for linkage to chromosome Xq28. Method: We conducted a genome-wide linkage scan on 409 independent pairs of homosexual brothers (908 analyzed individuals in 384 families), by far the largest study of its kind to date. Results: We identified two regions of linkage: the pericentromeric region on chromosome 8 (maximum two-point LOD = 4.08, maximum multipoint LOD = 2.59), which overlaps with the second strongest region from a previous separate linkage scan of 155 brother pairs; and Xq28 (maximum two-point LOD = 2.99, maximum multipoint LOD = 2.76), which was also implicated in prior research. Conclusions: Results, especially in the context of past studies, support the existence of genes on pericentromeric chromosome 8 and chromosome Xq28 influencing development of male sexual orientation.