Genetics of Height - Part II

Abstract

The first description of height as a genetic characteristic can be found in works of Gregory Mendel from more than 100 years ago. In his studies of plant genetics, he identified height as a simple dominant trait, with tall height being dominant to short height. For many years, the scientist thought that the same mechanism of height inheritance is applicable to humans. This theory lead to a long search for a specific gene and chromosome that could be responsible for height. To their surprise, scientist have discovered that human height is a complex polygenetic trait, which, although strongly hereditary, is influenced by interaction of multiple genes, metabolic processes and environmental factors. Several major contributors to the height are:

• Growth Hormone (GH) and its metabolic counterpart, Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF).
• Human steroid hormones: estrogen and testosterone
• Calcium Metabolism and vitamin D metabolism receptors
• Nutrition

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• Role of estrogen/testosterone
• Role of bone density and calcium metabolism
• Gender differences
• Difference in height among different racial groups

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