Queensland researchers have made a game-changing discovery that could take the surprise element out of pregnancy for many women.
They’re a step closer to a simple test that would reveal your likelihood of having twins or struggling with fertility.
The Queensland-led team of international researchers has spent several years studying the DNA samples of thousands of mothers of non-identical twins, trying to discover what genes they have in common.
They’re now confident a woman’s likelihood of conceiving non-identical twins comes down to just seven genes.
Five of those are also known to affect the follicle-stimulating hormone, present in many women who struggle with fertility.
After unlocking these findings, the researchers have said they are a step closer to developing a simple, saliva-based genetic test that could reveal a woman’s chances of giving birth to twins, and also potentially predict which women are more likely to have trouble conceiving.
Professor Nick Martin from the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute explained that for the particular hormone they detected, “If you’ve got lots of that hormone, you’re going to have twins”.
Saskia Bollman’s hands are full juggling two-year-old twins Max and Pip.
With no genetic history of twins, until recently exactly how she came to find herself with twins remained a mystery.
She said the test would be helpful to parents planning their family.
“It’s probably more important once you already have a few children, and then you have to make a decision, ‘Do I want a second one?” she said.
“Or it could be a second and a third which is a big difference”.
Answering that question could in the future be as simple as a quick saliva test.
The researchers know there are more genes for them to find and they need the help of the public.
They’re asking mothers of non-identical twins to take part in their quick and easy study at the QIMR Berghofer website.
