Fluctuating Dermatoglyphical Asymmetry in Human Population Exposed to Antropogenic Contamination

Authors: Urkhan K. ALEKPEROV, Ulduz F. GASHIMOVA

Abstract: In two groups of children under 6 years, the indices of fluctuating dermatoglyphical asymmetry were analyzed and compared. One of the group represents the population permanently living in the non-contaminated zone which is traditionally considered to be an ecological optimum from the viewpoint of prolonged human life (the control group). The second group includes children from the region of intense agricultural production with high level of using pesticides (the ecological risk group). Both zones are similar by their geography as well as anthropohogical, ethnic and social characteristics. It has been found out that asymmetry indices appeared to be significantly higher in the ecological risk group. The conclusion is drawn that indx of fluctuating dermatoglyphical asymmetry may serve as criteria to identify the populations existing under unfavorable ecological conditions incduding those exposed to environmental contamination.

Keywords: fluctuating asymmetry, palmar dermatoglyphics, exposed population, risk assesment.