superfecundation
Sign in to saveSuperfecundation is the fertilization of two or more ova from the same menstrual cycle by sperm from the same or different males, whether through separate acts of intercourse or during a single sexual encounter with multiple males. This can result in twin babies that have different biological fathers.
~4 min read
Article
7 sectionsContents
- Conception
- Heteropaternal superfecundation
- Selected cases involving superfecundation
- Mythology
- See also
- References
- Further reading
Superfecundation is the fertilization of two or more ova from the same menstrual cycle by sperm from the same or different males, whether through separate acts of intercourse or during a single sexual encounter with multiple males. This can result in twin babies that have different biological fathers.
The term superfecundation is derived from fecund, meaning able to produce offspring. Homopaternal superfecundation is a form of twinning where fertilization of two separate ova occurs as a result of two or more distinct instances of intercourse or insemination with the same male partner or donor, leading to fraternal twins. Heteropaternal superfecundation, on the other hand, is an atypical form of twinning that results in twins that are genetically half siblings – sharing the same biological mother, but with different biological fathers.