RT Journal
A1 Cao, Dachuang
A1 Osborn, Thomas C.
A1 Doerge, Rebecca W.
T1 Correct Estimation of Preferential Chromosome Pairing in Autotetraploids
JF Genome Research 
JO Genome Research 
YR 2004 
FD March 01 
VO 14 
IS 3 
SP 459 
OP 462 
DO 10.1101/gr.1596604 
UL http://genome.cshlp.org/content/14/3/459.abstract 
AB In recent work, a statistical model was proposed for the purpose of estimating parameters associated with quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping and preferential pairing within a polyploidy framework. The statistical model contained several parameters that, when estimated from experimental data, supplied information about QTL, including a preferential pairing factor. Among the results reported were estimates of preferential pairing, many of which indicated high levels of preferential pairing (p = 0.60) that were inconsistent with biological expectations. By using the biological inconsistencies as our motivation, we present a reformulated statistical method for estimating preferential pairing, and use this method to reanalyze the same autotetraploid alfalfa data and to conduct a simulation study. Our results directly contradict the current findings of significant preferential pairing and affirm the traditional view of random chromosome segregation in alfalfa.