Lewis phenotypes and secretor character in the "Castilla la Nueva"-region (Spain). ABH and Lewis antigen levels in salivary secretion.

In 1980 blood and saliva samples were taken from Spanish students of the University of Madrid. Red cells were analysed for A1B2BO and Lewis blood groups. Saliva samples were tested to detect the specific group substances ABH, Lea and Leb. A slightly higher frequency of the "le" gene (0.419) was found in our sample as compared to other Spanish samples. The phenotype frequencies of ABH secretors (77.2%) and non-secretors (22.8%) are in the range of other European populations. The levels of A and B antigens of individuals belonging to these blood groups were similar, whereas the average titration of the H substance showed the relation O greater than A2 greater than A1 greater than A1B greater than B. Analysis of variance proved this heterogeneity to be statistically significant. The amount of Lea substance in non-secretors was higher than in secretors. This shows again that the ABH secretor status has some influence on the quantity of this antigen. The average titration of the Leb substance in secretors was higher than that of Lea in individuals belonging to O, A and AB blood groups, but not in those with blood group B.