Do Twins Run in Families?

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Do Twins Run in Families?
There is evidence that non-identical (dizygotic) twins can run in families but having identical (monozygotic) twins is a spontaneous event not influenced by genetics.

Hyperovulation is the tendancy to release more than one egg during ovulation. If multiple eggs are released there is a chance that more than one egg will be fertilised resulting in non-identical twins/tripletss/quads etc...

Therefore if a woman carries a gene for hyperovulation she has an increased chance of conceiving multiples. This gene can be passed on through generations from mother to daughter. If a daughter inherits the hyperovulation gene, she too has a higher than normal chance of conceiving multiples.

In conclusion, twins can run in families but only on the maternal side and only non-identical twins.

August 2012

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