Authors : Gulshan Ara , Yasir Hasan Siddique , Tanveer Beg and Mohammad Afzal
Abstract: Reproductive fitness is best studied by taking together a number of parameters like the mean number of offspring produced and the sex-ratio. The Muslims of Aligarh city are predominantly Sunnis, though a considerable number of Shias are also there. Among the Sunnis approximately one fourth of the population constitute Syed, Sheikh, Moghal and Pathan, while three fourth belong to various lower Biradaris. In the present study we have reported incidence of marriage, fertility and secondary sex ratio among women of high rank (Ashraf) castes and low rank (Ajlaf) castes of Muslims in the northern region. Ashraf comprises Sheikh, Syed and Pathan, whereas Ajlafs belong to Qureshi, Saifi and Ansari biradaris. Maternal age was scored as above 45 and below 45 years of age. Significant effects of maternal age were seen on sterility, fertility and secondary-sex ratio of the offspring, whereas populations did not show consistent differences except those between Ashraf and Ajlaf taken together.
Gulshan Ara , Yasir Hasan Siddique , Tanveer Beg and Mohammad Afzal , 2007. Fertility Pattern and Secondary Sex Ratio among Womenof Different Age, Caste and Populations of North Indian Muslims. Research Journal of Biological Sciences, 2: 192-197.