Freemartin

[funky 4-Her]

I have often seen the word "freemartin" used on the boards
could someone please expalin what it means

 

[Angus Guy]

A freemartin is a sterile female. They usually come from being a twin.

 

[dun]

A freemartin is a sterile female. They usually come from being a twin.

For clarity, it's twin to a bull. Twin heifers are fine.
The repro organs are wonky in a freemartin. It can range from a vestule penis to just not having enough hormones to maintain a pregnancy.

 

[MikeC]

Could/would they be considered Chimeric?

 

[peg4x4]

No--thats an amalgimation of two distinct entities..

 

[CopeMan]

So in an instance of a bull and heifer in a set of twins are both sterile, or only one?

 

[Beefy]

the bull is not sterile.

 

[Angus In Texas]

Does this same principle hold true for other species including humans?

 

[dun]

Does this same principle hold true for other species including humans?

This was discussed a while back, if I remeber correctly, always doubtful, it seems that it can happen sheep or goats but it's a rare occurence. Twin catt;e usually share the same placenta that's the reason for the mixing of the male hormones with the heifers bloodstream that causes freemartinism.

 

[Angus In Texas]

Thanks dun. I thought that it was due to the shared placenta but wasn't sure.

 

[funky 4-Her]

ok... thanks for the clarification, around here we always jsut call them duds

 

[Diehard40]

there has been cases where the twin female from a male:female set has been able to breed. This instance of them being sterile isn't 100%. With that said it is high enough where you don't want to take a chance with her. 99+% she is probably sterile.

 

[backhoeboogie]

99+% she is probably sterile.

I don't really think it is that high. Dun? I have heard 90 plus for years and read studies in the low 90's. All in All, even if it were 70 or 80%, why take a chance?

 

[dun]

99+% she is probably sterile.

I don't really think it is that high. Dun? I have heard 90 plus for years and read studies in the low 90's. All in All, even if it were 70 or 80%, why take a chance?

The numb er I've alwasy heard bandied about is 90 plus percent. That said, I've never seen a heifer born twin to a bull that wasn't sterile. I've heard tell of them, but never seen it. There is a blood test that you can get done through UC Davis that will tell if it's a freemartin or not. If I had a heifer that I was really high on, we did several years ago, I'ld get the blood test then abide by the findings. Our;s was very good eating.

 

[Tx-beefmaster-showman]

It seems that it can happen sheep or goats

Just to clarify
True
Freemartinism does occur in goats, it is a very rare occurance though