Population studies in northern Sweden. XI. The Duffy blood group polymorphism.

Frequencies of the Duffy blood groups were studied in 222 Swedish Lapps and in a series of 3,151 Swedish conscripts and blood donors from the counties of Norrbotten and V asterbotten in northern Sweden. The conscripts and blood donors were distributed according to place of birth into 23 subpopulations. The frequency of the Fya gene among the Lapps was significantly higher than that in the Norrbotten and V asterbotten populations. The inbreeding coefficient FST for northern Sweden was found to be 2.8 . 10(-3) and significant (p less than 0.05). The Fya gene frequency in V asterbotten county was significantly higher than that in Norrbotten county. The overall picture of geographical variation of the Fya gene was not explainable in terms of Lappish and Finnish influence, it was rather contrary to the expected ethnic influence. The reason for this discrepancy is discussed.