Markov model of sex-linked recessive trait transmission

Abstract

A Markov model of sex-linked recessive trait transmission is developed with genotypes viewed as the states of the transmission process and the changes of generations considered to occur at discrete moments of time. Gender and a linked recessive gene are considered simultaneously, and in contrast to conventional approaches, mating is not confined to the offspring of the same couple but is random and permitted among all the members of the population. Recessive gene inherited diseases haemophilia A and Duchenne muscular dystrophy are used to illustrate the model, and direct calculations from a case study of a mild haemophilia A pedigree which includes about 10% of Greek haemophiliacs showed good agreement with the results of model calculations.