A study of the occurrence of monochorionic and monozygotic twinning in the pig

In humans as well as in most farm animals, monozygotic twins have been described. Nevertheless, only a few reports of twinning in the pig have been published. It has been suggested that monozygotic twins are formed during the first 14 days of pregnancy. This monozygotic twin study includes the investigation of porcine monochorionic embryos from 76 sows at days 26-29 post-insemination (p.i.), as well as an examination of 10 whole litters at days 21-22 p.i. In the former group, 29% of the sows carried monochorionic embryos. Based on DNA profiling using microsatellite markers, one monozygotic twin pair was found among these embryos. In the latter group, three monozygotic twin pairs were identified. Thus, it can be concluded that although the occurrence of monozygotic twins in pigs is a sporadic event, the fusion of extra-embryonic membranes is relatively common.