Abstract
It is generally assumed that the identity of the genotype explains why there is less difference between monozygotic than between dizygotic twins. But monozygotic twins are also exposed to identical non-genetic influences, which act on the common zygote until the time of separation into the two twin partners. We have studied such influences by comparing genetically identical monozygotic and dizygotic mouse twins transplanted into foster mothers at the 8-cell stage. We show that monozygotic twins have a greater degree of similarity than genetically identical dizygotic twins. This suggests that the differences between dizygotic twins may be due in part to non-genetic influences on the zygote as far as the third cleavage stage.
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Gärtner, K., Baunack, E. Is the similarity of monozygotic twins due to genetic factors alone?. Nature 292, 646–647 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1038/292646a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/292646a0
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