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  Discussion on Mare pregnancy with twins
Author Message
New Member:
keena

Posted on Sunday, Mar 14, 2010 - 11:33 am:

I have read available articles on this subject but still have a question.

Why the embryo splits? Does the 2 embryos have less genetics qualities, etc. than if the embryo had not split?
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, Mar 15, 2010 - 1:35 pm:

Hello Keena,
Identical twins are all but unheard of in horses. When it occurs it is always a big new item. The vast majority of horse twins are fraternal and originate from two eggs being ovulated and fertilized separately then requires a break down in the normal reduction process that occurs in the uterus. This is explained in the article. As to why identical twins occur with a early splitting of the embryo I don't know why this occurs. Any embryologist out there?
DrO
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