1. What is the Inbreeding Coefficient?

The inbreeding coefficient (F) measures the probability that two alleles at any locus in an individual are identical by descent from a common ancestor. It quantifies the genetic similarity resulting from consanguineous mating in humans.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the inbreeding coefficient formula:

Where:

• \( n1 \) — Number of generations from individual to common ancestor through first parent
• \( n2 \) — Number of generations from individual to common ancestor through second parent
• \( F_A \) — Inbreeding coefficient of the common ancestor

Explanation: The formula calculates the probability that two alleles inherited from different paths are identical by descent, accounting for any existing inbreeding in the common ancestor.

3. Importance of Inbreeding Coefficient Calculation

Details: Calculating inbreeding coefficients is crucial in genetic counseling, population genetics, and conservation biology to assess the risk of recessive genetic disorders and understand population structure.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the number of generations to the common ancestor through each parent (n1 and n2) and the inbreeding coefficient of the common ancestor (F_A, between 0 and 1). All values must be valid positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What does an inbreeding coefficient of 0 mean?
A: An F value of 0 indicates no inbreeding - the parents are completely unrelated and share no common ancestors.

Q2: What is considered a high inbreeding coefficient in humans?
A: Values above 0.0625 (equivalent to first-cousin mating) are generally considered high in human populations and associated with increased health risks.

Q3: How does inbreeding affect health?
A: Inbreeding increases the probability of homozygous recessive genotypes, which can lead to higher incidence of genetic disorders and reduced fitness.

Q4: Can this calculator handle complex pedigrees?
A: This calculator computes the coefficient for a single path. For complex pedigrees with multiple common ancestors, you would need to sum the contributions from all paths.

Q5: What's the difference between inbreeding coefficient and kinship coefficient?
A: The inbreeding coefficient (F) measures an individual's genetic similarity, while the kinship coefficient measures the genetic relationship between two individuals.