Digyny

Digyny (also digynia) refers to the process of a diploid ovum becoming fertilized by a monoploid sperm. The result of digyny is a triploid zygote. In humans, both gametes (ovum and sperm) are normally monoploid and give rise to a diploid zygote.

Digyny results in gestational abnormalities in humans, including an abnormally small placenta and a very growth-restricted fetus. As a result, the majority of triploid pregnancies are spontaneously aborted. The incidence rate of a live-born triploid human is approximately 1 in 50,000.

See also

• Dispermy
• Triploid Syndrome

References

• Stedman's Medical Dictionary, 27th edition, page 501.