Developmental and Fetal Origins of Differences in Monozygotic Twins From Genetics to Environmental Factors

Developmental and Fetal Origins of Differences in Monozygotic Twins: From Genetics to Environmental Factors examines the major causes of discordance in monozygotic twins, from genetic, to environmental influences, including discussions on the genetic, epigenetic, fetal and environmental factors. Twin differences discussed include malformations, deformations and disruptions secondary to inequitable division of the early embryo, chromosome and single gene mosaicism, Nonrandom X chromosome inactivation, mitochondrial heteroplasmy, epigenetic variation, and variable and inequitable blood supply, among other influences. Differences in hemoglobin levels, placentation and amniotic fluid are also examined, while full color images illustrate discordant anomalies and twin differences throughout.

1. Introduction

2. Biology of monozygotic twinning

3. Mechanisms of discordance in

monozygotic twins: why and when?

4. Monozygotic twins in history:

enlightenment by mythology and

ethnography

5. Genetics and epigenetics differences in

monozygotic twins: the vision of the

geneticist

6. Heterokaryotypic monozygotic twins

7. Differences in placentation in

monochorionic twin pregnancies

8. Differences in growth: selective

intrauterine growth restriction in

monochorionic twins

9. Hemoglobin differences at birth in

monochorionic twins

10. Differences in amniotic fluid in MZ

twins

11. Twin-reversed arterial perfusion

sequence: different identical twins

12. Major discordant anomalies in

monozygotic twins: management and

outcome

13. Congenital heart disease in

monozygotic twins

14. Spotting the differences in the

first trimester of pregnancy in MZ twins:

the issue of aneuploidies and TTTS

screening

15. Noninvasive prenatal screening in

twin pregnancies

16. A new way to look at multiples: the

power of image

17. Differences in monozygotic twins: the

implications of diet and intestinal

microbioma

18. Differences in development in

monozygotic twins

19. Monozygotic twins: a personal as

well as a criminal and jurisdictional

approach

20. Monozygotic twin differences in

perceived age

21. The environmental differences

between twins in utero and their

importance for downstream development: a

need for standardized monitoring in

obstetric research

22. Future perspectives

• Examines the major causes of discordance in monozygotic twins and their relevance for future studies and clinical management
• Discusses NIPT in MZ twins, twin imaging during fetal development, blood tests and forensic analysis
• Features contributions from international experts in twin genetics and developmental biology