Experimental measurement of the inbreeding coefficient F

Experimentally measure the observed frequency of heterozygotes f(AB) =  Hobs
    From these data, calculate the observed allele frequencies p & q

        Hobs = 2pq(1 - F)  where F is the fractional deficiency of heterozygotes due to inbreeding

Rearrange to extract F:

            (2pq)(1 - F) = Hobs

        2pq - (2pq)(F) = Hobs

                - (2pq)(F) = Hobs - 2pq

                             F  = (Hobs - 2pq)/(- 2pq)

                             F  =  (2pq - Hobs) / (2pq)

and because Hexp = 2pq is the expected  frequency of heterozygotes based on observed p & q

                F = (Hexp - Hobs) / Hexp

Text material © 2024 by Steven M. Carr