Abstract:
Morphogenetic traits are observable characters inherited by individuals from their parents in an autosomal dominant or recessive manner and expressed differently among populations. Variation occurs in human this is usually as a result of several factors which of great value physical anthropological window especially in studying population variation and human diversity. The studies of morphogenetic variation have enormous value in the study of evolution, forensic science, human diversity, and taxonomy. Also studying morphogenetic trait is important because to know how genetic instruction passed from parent to offspring. Knowing distribution of ABO blood group and Rh blood group is helpful for effective management and blood banks and safe blood transfusion. The general objective of this study was to study the frequency of the major observable human six morphogenetic traits and their association with ABO blood groups of Gerbe Guracha secondary school students. A total of 384 (Male =194(50.5%) and Female=190 (49.5%)) volunteer students were selected by simple random sampling technique among the source populations. Phenotypes of the six morphogenetic traits were gathered through physical observation of individual students. Blood sample was collected from every voluntary student by finger-prick method and slide agglutination methods of Anti-A, anti B, and anti-D reagents were used for blood type screen. Chi-square test was used to compare the distribution of blood groups and morphogenetic traits among the participants in the sampled population. Univariet and multivariet regression analyses were used to determine the association of morphogenetic traits with blood groups. Among the total of six morphogenetic traits studied, four of the dominant phenotypes rolling tongue (57.8%), straight thumb shape (52.9%), dangle earlobe (64.3%), right-handedness (94.3%), and two recessive phenotypes absence of hair on mid digital finger (68.75%), and lack of facial dimple (74.5%), were observed among Gerba Guracha secondary school students. Statistical significant association was found between tongue roller, earlobe attachment, facial dimple, and presence of hair on mid digital finger with sex as p<0.05. The distribution of ABO blood types among sampled populations were A 98(25.5%), B 118 (30.7%), AB 18 (4.7%), and O 150 (39%). This means the order of the ABO blood group from highest to lowest was O>B>A >AB pattern, blood type O (39.1%) was the most frequent while blood type AB (4.7%) was the least frequent blood group. Most (91.14%) of the study participants were Rh-positive. The distributions of the phenotypes of tongue rolling, facial dimple, thumb shape, and type of handedness were significantly associated with the ABO blood group. In multivariate analysis among morphogenetic traits, tongues rolling, thumb shape and facial dimple were the most significantly associated predictors with the ABO blood group distribution than non- rolling, curved shape thump, and no facial dimple (adjusted OR = 4.8; 95% CI 1.4-17.7, p = 0.015), (adjusted OR 5.2; 95% CI 1.5-13.8, p= 0.03) and (adjusted OR = 1.13; 95% CI 0.56- 2.28, p = 0.001) respectively.