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© 1998 Oxford University Press

research-article

Is there a consequence for fetal growth of having an unlike-sexed cohabitant in utero?

Svetlana V Glinianaia, Per Magnus, Jennifer R Harris and Kristian Tambs

Section of Epidemiology, Department of Population Health sciences, National Institute of Public Health Oslo, Norway

Reprint requests to: Dr Svetlana v Glinianaia, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, School of Health Sciences, The Medical School, University of Newcastle, Framlington Place, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK

BACKGROUND: There is evidence to suggest a masculinizing effect on female intrauterine development in unlike-sexed twins. The purpose of the present report was to examine the possible effects of male presence on fetal growth in females by comparing mean birthweights in members from dizygotic unlike-sexed (DZU) pairs with those from dizygotic like-sexed (DZL) pairs.

METHODS: The sample consisted of 1087 DZU and 1089 DZL twin pairs from the New Norwegian Twin Panel, which was established by identifying all twin births from 1967 to 1974 through the population-based Medical Birth Registry.

RESULTS: The mean birthweight of females from DZU pairs was 2684 ± 15 g (±SEM), as opposed to 2647 ± 19 gin females from DZL pairs (P= 0.06). For males, the mean birthweight was 2812 ± 16 g in DZU pairs and 2805 ± 20 g in DZL pairs (P= 0.78).

CONCLUSIONS: We found a tendency for the birthweight in females to be influenced by the presence of a male co-twin. This observation may have a biological significance and should lead to a close follow-up of DZU and DZL females with respect to hormone-sensitive disorders and reproductive ability.

Keywords Birthweight, dizygotic twins, hormonal influences, fetal growth, masculinizing effect

Accepted 11 November 1997


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