Heteropaternal superfecundation
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Heteropaternal superfecundation was responsible for Able being the son of Adam and Cain being the son of the serpent (see Serpent's seed & science). It is very rare in humans, though more common in other animals. This is primarily due to the predominance of 1:1 heterosexual partner pairings among humans. A woman who has sexual relations with two or more men at short intervals within the same ovulatory period can be impregnated by both men.
[edit] SuperfecundationSuperfecundation is the fertilization of two or more ova from the same menstrual cycle by sperm from separate acts of sexual intercourse. The term is also sometimes used to refer to the instances of two different males fathering fraternal twins, though this is more accurately known as heteropaternal superfecundation. This therefore leads to the possibility of twins also being half-siblings. Homopaternal superfecundation is the term fraternal twins, i.e. from the same father. [edit] ConceptionSuperfecundation most commonly happens within hours or days of the first instance of fertilization with ova released during the same cycle. Ovulation is usually suspended during pregnancy to prevent further ova becoming fertilized and to help increase the chances of a full term pregnancy. However, if an ovum is released after the female was already impregnated when previously ovulating, there is a chance of a second pregnancy -- albeit at a different stage of development. This is known as superfetation. [edit] EtymologyThe term superfecundation is derived from fecund, meaning the ability to produce offspring. [edit] External links
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