Are Twins Hereditary?

Question

I just wondered.

Also, my grandad's grandad was a twin, and his brothers are twins (both identical pairs). If it is genetic, what are the chances of me or my sister having twins later on in life?

Answer 1

Yes, Twins run in families. And if you are over 35, or are taking any fertility drugs your odds increase.

Answer 2

Not sure how true but have heard that yes having twins in the family can make the possibility of future generations having twins high.  Also that it skips a generation!

Answer 3

Yes, they can be.

My friend had twins and so did her cousin, theres a history in their family. =]

Answer 4

Twins tend to skip a generation. If there are any of your grandad's generation tht are twins, then either you or your sister, or someone in the same generation as you are likely to have twins.

My Grandmother had two brothers who were twins, and I myself am one of twins.

Answer 5

A woman can have a genetic predisposition to twin conception, but there's no predictable certainty.

A man can pass the predisposition on, but cannot genetically dictate the creation of twins, that's all down to the egg.

Answer 6

Statistically, if there's a history of twins in the family then it's more likely that you'll have twins. I don't know the exact chances, but yes, there's a genetic component.

Answer 7

High, but a consultant will be able to help you with that further.

Answer 8

If there are multiple sets of  non-identical twins throughout the generations of the family then there is a higher possibility.  But not with identical twins as that is when the fertilised egg splits into two lots of cells, therefore the conception was a single one to start with.  So, as your family have identical twins, the latter scenario, I think the chances are the same as us all.

Answer 9

Fraternal twins are hereditary through the maternal line. There is a gene in the body that tells the woman to release two eggs instead of one.

Identical twins are NOT hereditary. It is a completely random mutation when a fertilized egg splits into two.

The only family history that would apply to you is any women on your maternal line that had fraternal twins.

Your grandad's history is not relevant. It will not make you more likely to have twins.

Answer 10

I have an identical twin brother, and the received wisdom was that generally twins skipped a generation.  However, our father was also a twin, although his brother died very soon after being born.  I have children (no twins), and my brother has children (no twins).

You're going back three generations, I think?  Or is it your grandad that had twin brothers?

I will ask a geneticist and try to get back to you.