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Several studies indicate that food intake and selection varies during menstrual cycle. The present results are based on nutritional diaries kept by 27 healthy regularly menstruating women, who did not use oral contraceptives. Over a time period of at least one menstrual cycle the women recorded their daily ad libitum food intake by specifying the different nutrients and the respective amounts. The daily total energy, carbohydrate, protein and fat intake was analyzed using the national foodstuff code provided by the National Health Institute with regard to different phases of the menstrual cycle. The latter were controlled by daily measurements of basal temperature. The results indicate that during the luteal phase of menstrual cycle the intake of total energy tends to be higher than during follicular phase. Carbohydrate intake was on the lowest point during periovulatory period reaching a minimum approximately 2 days after ovulation. Such a minimum could also be observed in fat and total energy intake. Furthermore it could be demonstrated that the subjective perception of "sweetness" varied with cycle phases. The results suggest that food intake and selection is influenced by neurochemical, hormonal, physiological and psychological factors.

With 1 figure and 5 tables in the text Summary: A total of n = 769 unrelated male and female individuals from eight endogamous caste (Brahmin, Kapu, Yadava, Relli) and tribal (Bagatha, Kotia, Manne Dora, Konda Dora) populations living in various districts of Andhra Pradesh (India) have been typed for haptoglobin (HP) types and transferrin (TF), group specific component (GC) and aj antitrypsin (PI) subtypes. The genetic heterogeneity among these population groups is considerable. This can be explained by lacking or at least only minimal gene flow among these caste and tribal groups, by which differences in their genetic profiles caused by locally acting genetic differentiation factors such as drift could be preserved. Zusammenfassung: An insgesamt n = 769 nicht verwandten mannlichen und weiblichen Individuen acht endogamer Kastenbevolkerungen (Brahmin, Kapu, Yadava, Relli) bzw. Stammesbevolkerungen (Bagatha, Kotia, Manne Dora, Konda Dora) aus verschiedenen Distrikten von Andhra Pradesh (Indien) wurden die Haptoglobin-Gruppen (HP) sowie die Subtypen des Transferrins (TF), der gruppenspezifischen Komponente (GC) und des 0^ Antitrypsins (PI) untersucht. Die genetische Heterogenitat zwischen diesen Populations gruppen ist betrachtlich. Das kann mit fehlenden oder doch nur geringem Genflufi zwischen ihnen erklart werden, wodurch genetische Unterschiede, hervorgerufen durch lokal wirkende genetische Differenzierungsfaktoren, wie z.B. Drift, erhalten bleiben konnten.

Sixteen tribal populations from Orissa, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra have been typed for the polymorphic blood group systems A1A2B0, MNSs, Rhesus, Kell, Duffy and Diego. The heterogeneity in the distribution of haplotype and allele frequencies, respectively, is partly considerable. It is supposed that this is due to the operation of several microevolutionary factors, such as genetic drift, social and geographic isolation and gene flow. This is discussed in detail.

112 Iranian population samples with a total of 600954 individuals are analyzed concerning the ethnic variability of ABO allele frequencies. The genetic heterogeneity within and between these population samples is considerable. This heterogeneity is discussed with regard to the ethnohistory of Iran. The most striking ABO allele frequencies are observed in Assyrians, Armenians and Zoroastrians, which differ extremely from that of all the other hitherto studied ethnic groups of Iran. Obviously varying ABO allele frequencies are seen also in Yazdis as well as in Turkomans and Arabs living in Iran. And finally the Iranian Jews reveal clear frequency differences in comparison with all the other Iranian population groups. It can be assumed that the specific ABO allele frequencies found in the above mentioned ethnic groups are connected with their different geographical origin as well as with their marked endogamy.

Several studies have shown that there is a Northwest-Southeast gradient in menarcheal age of European girls, with menarche occurring on the average about one year earlier in girls living in the Southern parts of Europe as compared with those from the Northern and Northwestern European countries. Eveleth & Tanner (1976) as well as Danker-Hopfe (1986a) suggested that this gradient is due primarily to genetic differences rather than climatic or nutritional variation. To substantiate this hypothesis menarcheal age of Turkish girls who lived in Bremen for several years has been investigated. The mean age at menarche estimated by probit analysis based on status quo data from n = 494 girls aged from 9.0 to 16.5 years was 12.90 +/- 1.21 years. These results correspond very well to those reported by Neyzi et al. (1975) for girls from Istanbul. On the other hand mean menarcheal age of Turkish girls living in Bremen is distinctly lower than mean age at menarche of urban German girls, living in the same district. In summary the results of the present study support the hypothesis of a predominantly genetic cause for the observed Northwest-Southeast gradient in age at menarche in Europe.

Three population groups of Assam, viz., the Hindus, Muslims and Mongoloids have been investigated for certain bio-social variables, e.g., size and composition of family, sex distribution, menarcheal age, age at marriage, marriage distance, conception, pregnancy wastage and fertility. The results are discussed on comparative basis, and attempts are made to offer possible reasons for differences.

13 population groups of Sikkim (North India) ? Lepchas (2), Bhutias (2), Sherpas, Ta mangs, Gurungs, Rais, Limboos (Subbas), Pradhans (Newars), Brahmins, Chhetris, Scheduled Castes ? were analyzed for the distribution of 17 polymorphic systems of the blood: A1A2B0, MNSs, Rhesus (C, c, D, E, e), Kell, Duffy, Kidd, haptoglobin, transferrin subtypes, Gc subtypes, Gm (1, 2, 5), Km (1), red cell acid phosphatase (aP), phosphoglucomutase (PGMt), 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6-PGD), esterase D (EsD), adenylate kinase (AK), and hemoglobin variants. In ad dition to this two samples ? Lepchas and Bhutias of North Sikkim ? could also be typed for Lu theran und Xg blood groups and for ABH secretion in saliva. The distribution of phenotype and al lele frequencies shows a considerable interpopulational variability, which is discussed considering history and marriage relations of these populations. The average coefficient of gene diversity GST comes to 0.0351, whereas Wright's Fst is 0.0257. These values are somewhat different from those obtained on other Indian populations. Genetic distance analysis revealed a cluster pattern, which reflects to a great extent the ethnohistoric relations among the populations under study.

14 population groups of Sikkim (India)--Lepchas (2), Bhutias (2), Sherpas, Tamangs, Gurungs, Mangars, Rais, Limboos/Subbas, Pradhans (Newars), Brahmans, Chhetris, Scheduled Castes--have been studied in regard of the intra- and intergroup variability of colour blindness, ear lobe attachment, mid-phalangeal hair and behavioural traits (tongue folding, hand clapsing, arm folding, leg folding, handedness). Some of these variables show a considerable distribution heterogeneity, which is discussed considering history and marriage patterns of these populations. As most of them are highly endogamous one can assume that this heterogeneity is caused by locally acting factors such as drift and/or founder effects, which could be preserved due to as good as lacking gene flow among the populations under study. Beyond that the Sikkim data are compared briefly with those reported for other Indian and Asiatic populations.