TWINS
TWINS
Twins are two offspring produced by the same pregnancy. They can be either identical (monozygotic) or fraternal (dizygotic). Identical twins are formed when a single fertilized egg splits into two, resulting in two genetically identical individuals. Fraternal twins are formed when two separate eggs are fertilized by two separate sperm, resulting in two genetically distinct individuals. Twins can also be a combination of identical and fraternal, known as half-identical or polar body twins.
There are several different types of twins, including:
Identical (monozygotic) twins: These are formed when a single fertilized egg splits in two, resulting in two genetically identical individuals. They are always the same gender and have the same physical characteristics.
Fraternal (dizygotic) twins: These are formed when two separate eggs are fertilized by two separate sperm, resulting in two genetically distinct individuals. They may be the same or different gender and may or may not have similar physical characteristics.
Half-identical or polar body twins: These are a rare type of twinning that occurs when a fertilized egg splits into two, but only one of the resulting cells goes on to form an embryo. The other cell divides again to form a second, genetically identical embryo.
Conjoined Twins: are formed when a fertilized egg does not separate completely and the developing embryos remain joined at some point on their body.
Superfecundation twins: This occurs when two eggs are released during ovulation and are fertilized by sperm from separate acts of intercourse. The resulting twins are fraternal and can be two different sexes and have different fathers.
Superfetation twins: This is a very rare phenomenon in which a woman becomes pregnant again while already pregnant with another child. As a result, the two pregnancies are at different stages of development.
Each type of twins has their own unique characteristic and special needs.
