Video:Is There a Twin Gene?

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Transcript:Is There a Twin Gene?

Is there a twin gene? This is actually one of the most commonly asked questions in the reproductive community. According to ths About.com Multiples Channel, the answer is simple... No. And... Well... yes... sort of. Confused? Let's break it down so it's a bit easier to see why the answer is no... and yes.

Is There a Twin Gene?

It may be hard to believe, but there is, in fact, no actual gene for monozygotic, a.k.a., identical‚ twins. The main factors are random chance and possibly in-vitro fertilization. Yet, there is no scientific evidence of any genetic predisposition for having identical twins.

More Information About the Twin Gene

However, if you thought twins ran in the family, then you'd also be right. Twins do run in families... fraternal twins, that is. So how does this work? A common explanation for dizygotic a.k.a., fraternal‚ twins is hyper ovulation. There is actually a gene for hyperovulation that does get passed from family member to family member. This way, men can pass this gene to their daughters, who then, in turn, may have twins. This pattern has led to the belief that the appearance of twins skips a generation.If you're trying to have twins, or even trying to avoid having twins, there are other factors that can contribute to higher rates of fraternal twin creation. But if you like everything in doubles, then this is where you'll want to take notes.

Additional Facts About the Twin Gene

Women of above-average height or with a BMI (body mass index) of 30 or higher tend to have fraternal twins more often. Additionally, women over the age of 45 are more likely to have multiples. Women who have already had a large number of children also tend towards conceiving multiples. And then there's also the belief that women who consume large quantities of dairy are more likely to have twins. Does make you wonder what are they putting in the milk these days. So, if you're taking bets on if you'll have identical twins, one woman's chances are just about as good as any other's. But, if you're hoping for fraternal twins, look to your family tree and study it over a warm glass of milk.

I'm Jonathon Stewart, with About.com.