Hepatitis B Surface Antigen, Fertility and Sex Ratio: Implications for Health Planning

Document Type

Article

Authors

J E. Hesser, The Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
B S. Blumberg, The Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
J S. Drew, The Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Abstract

Matings with a parent positive for infectious agent (HBgAg) in a Greek population show an elevated sex ratio (64% males) compared with matings of negative parents (53% males). In Melanesian populations, however, the sex ratio is decreased when the mother is positive and increased when the father is positive. Thus the presence of HBsAg is associated with alterations in the live birth sex ratio. Altered sex ratios, in turn, affect population reproduction rates.

Recommended Citation

Hesser, J E.; Blumberg, B S.; and Drew, J S. (1976) "Hepatitis B Surface Antigen, Fertility and Sex Ratio: Implications for Health Planning," Human Biology: Vol. 48: Iss. 1, Article 7.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/humbiol/vol48/iss1/7