Genetics Of Twin Pregnancies

Counting Sheep can Teach us about Twins

Scientists often turn to animals when they want to study a biological process. Some of the newest information we have about twin genetics comes from studying sheep.

Sheep were chosen because, like people, they typically give birth to a single lamb. However, they can sometimes have twins and triplets.

Different breeds of sheep naturally have higher or lower twin rates.  These different breeds have different versions (called alleles) of some of their genes. Specific alleles can make certain breeds more likely to have twins.

We can compare the genes between these different breeds to try to find the genes controlling twinning. And, this is just what scientists did.

A thorough search for genes controlling twining in sheep identified several interesting ones. The breeds with higher twin rates had different alleles of these genes!

Three key sheep genes identified were named BMP15, GDF9, and BMPR1B. The specific gene names are not really important. Just know that all of these genes are involved in controlling ovulation. Which makes sense!

Remember, hyperovulation increases the chance of having fraternal twins. The sheep breeds with higher than average twin rates had versions of the genes that increase ovulation.

Sheep are a great tool to help us study twin genetics. The tricky part is connecting these findings to people.

It is harder to study humans. Scientists have tried to find links between the genes identified in sheep and human twin genetics. So far they’ve found that some match up and some don’t. This, in and of itself, is interesting!

Another gene called follicle-stimulating hormone, or FSH for short, has also been linked to twins in humans. Like the other three genes identified, this FSH is also involved in promoting ovulation, and mothers of fraternal twins often have high levels of it.

It seems that twin genetics is more complicated in humans than in sheep. More genes are likely involved. But, each new bit of information about the genes involved adds another puzzle piece to the complete genetic picture.