The distributions of the combinations of the sexes in mammalian litters

Abstract

SUMMARYThere is subnormal dispersion in the distributions of the combinations of the sexes in some samples of litters of pigs, rabbits and mice. For instance, consider litters of exactly size 8. As contrasted with binomial expectation, there are too many with exactly 4 males and 4 females, and too few unisexual litters. It is argued that this supports the hypothesis (independently proposed by the author and by Guerrero) that P, the probability that a zygote will be male, varies with the time at which it is formed within the cycle. It is noted that data of Kaufman seem to support the hypothesis.