Aurora magazine

An Australian mother gave birth to a pair of "almost identical" twins, born of an oocyte and two spermatozoa. This is the second case in the world, the first identified during pregnancy. The case, more unique than rare, was followed by Dr. Michael Gabbett of Queensland University of Technology in Australia.

According to the scientists, two spermatozoa fertilized the oocyte together, before it split up. At first, gestation seems a normal case of homozygous twins: fetuses share the same placenta. Yet at the 14th week it emerges that one child is male and the other is female: it is impossible for them to be homozygous. The identical twins, in fact, share the same DNA and therefore the same genus. When the two spermatozoa fertilized the oocyte, three sets of chromosomes were found.

Usually this event is incompatible with life and the embryos do not survive. In this case, however, the chromosomes split into two and gave rise to a pair of twins. All the cells contain the chromosomes of the mother, some contain those of the first spermatozoon and others those of the second. The twins therefore have a very similar but not identical DNA.

Source: theguardian.com

Spermatozoa produced several days before fertilization give life to healthier children. This is stated by research by the University of East Angli and Uppsala University. The scientists analyzed a group of zebrafish and compared the health status of the offspring. The discoveries made may also have implications for human in vitro fertilization techniques.

The ejaculated sperm can contain spermatozoa inside several days or more. Scientists have collected the sperm of some zebrafish and divided it into two: on the one hand they put the older sperm and the other on the newly produced sperm. At this point they fertilized eggs and compared the broods of the two groups.

The researchers monitored zebrafish for two years, checking their and offspring's health. The babies born of the old sperm were healthier and longer-lived than the brothers. In addition, their babies turned out to be healthier and longer-lived. This sheds new light on the sperm selection procedures used for in vitro fertilization. Scientists already knew that every single ejaculation can contain different types of sperm.

The gametes can have different sizes and shapes, be more or less fast and carry different genetic material. Until now, however, the age of the single spermatozoon was considered irrelevant. Wrongly, because the consequences could be very relevant to the offspring.

Source: comm.uea.ac.uk

Taking omega 3 supplements during pregnancy reduces the risks of being overweight for the child. According to a study by Dr. Susan Carlson of the University of Kansas, prenatal acid exposure reduces blood pressure. Overweight children whose mothers took omega 3 during gestation have in fact the same levels as normal-weight children.

This obviously does not cancel all the negative consequences related to the condition. A high body mass index (BMI) is linked to a large number of cardiovascular diseases, especially in adulthood. Even obese children can have problems like high blood pressure. Not all, though: those whose mothers have taken large amounts of omega 3 are healthier.

Although suffering from other physical and psychological problems related to being overweight, they have a diastolic and systolic pressure in the average. Dr. Carlson's team followed groups of children exposed to omega 3. Part of the mothers took it during pregnancy, part during breastfeeding or added it to powdered milk. The data showed that intrauterine exposure is the most effective. It may be that it acts on the very mechanisms that bind weight and blood pressure, but it will be necessary to deepen the theme. However, even intake during breastfeeding has its merits.

There is another study that analyzed the effects of omega 3 on blood pressure. This time, the children took the supplements for the first 4 months of life. At 6, they had lower blood pressure.

Source: medpagetoday.com

In pregnancy there are many obvious changes in the woman's body, which adapts to accommodate the fetus. A study by Dr. Flavia Cardini reveals that together with physical expansion there is a mental one. During the third quarter, pregnant women experience an increase in their personal space.

The researchers asked a group of pregnant women to define their own personal space. The women were blindfolded and had to press a button as soon as they touched the abdomen. In some cases the answer was disturbed by a long sound, which seemed to start from afar and approach. Usually, people react more slowly to the touch when the sound seems far away. When it starts to approach, however, they are more reactive. Dr. Cardini and her team verified whether the responses of pregnant women reacted differently. From what emerged, during the pregnancy the answers vary.

Women at the 34th week of gestation responded more quickly to the touch, especially when compared to other non-pregnant women. This means that their perception of personal space is wider. According to some psychologists, it could be a protective reaction towards the baby bump to defend. Yet, the phenomenon occurs only very far in the gestation: the women at the 20th week have not in fact showed any change.

Dr. Cardini expected changes even in the early stages of gestation. Perhaps, in the first few weeks, the need to protect the baby's bump is less pronounced. However, this also explains why so many women experience a heightened discomfort when relatives and friends insist on touching the baby bump.

Source: sciencenews.org