Random article ( of 1089 ) Latest updates

User Tools

Site Tools


content:life_sciences:human_body:twinning_age

Wikenigma - an Encyclopedia of Unknowns Wikenigma - an Encyclopedia of the Unknown

Twinning rate and maternal age in humans

Multiple births occur in most mammals, with varying frequencies. In humans, multiple births are relatively uncommon (aside from fertility treatments). But the incidence tends to rise with the increasing age of the mother - although fertility itself declines. This tendency is unexplained.

In studies performed before the inception of ARTs [assisted reproductive technologies] and controlling for parity, twinning rates were found to increase by 300% between the ages of 15 and 37 years (Bulmer, 1970). This increase is particularly prominent in the maternal age group of 35โ€“39 (Bortolus et al., 1999). No scientifically based explanation for this phenomenon has been forthcoming. It is all the more fascinating as it occurs, paradoxically, in the age group when fertility potential starts to decline rapidly."

Source : Human Reproduction, Volume 21, Issue 6,
THIS WEBSITE DOES NOT USE TRACKING, ADVERTISING, OR ANALYTICAL COOKIES OF ANY KIND. All essential cookies (for login status etc) are automatically deleted at the end of the session . . . full details here

Show another (random) article

Suggestions for corrections and ideas for articles are welcomed : Get in touch!


Further resources :