Source:  Journal of Human Reproduction;  BBC Health

Must be the wooden shoes.  Researchers from Vrije University (between Amstelveenseweg and De Boelelaan Streets in Amsterdam –Look it it up if you don’t believe me), have studied the development of eggs in over 500 Dutch women to determine why women over age 35 have twins more frequently than women under age 30.

Quick medical lesson:  Twins occur when 1 fertilized egg divides into 2 infants (identical) or when 2 eggs become fertilized instead of just 1 (non-indentical).  3/4 of all twin pregnancies are non-identical.  A hormone called FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) starts the process of egg production in the ovaries.

Back to the study.  Of the 500 women, 105 developed multiple follicles.  Of those, 55 were found in women over age 35 while just 5 were to women under age 30. Why?  Well, it appears that prior to menopause women overcompensate (that’s NOT a value judgment) and produce higher levels of FSH.   Typically this will not result in multiples only due to the relative age of the eggs.  However, a number of women produce viable eggs late into their reproductive lives making this phenomenon possible.

So while advanced maternal age is more commonly associated with infertility, it is also associated with high fertility. The more you know…

~Posted by D.M. Schwadron, Esquire