androgenèse

Androgenesis is a form of parthenogenesis where the embryo develops solely from the male gamete. In sexual reproduction, offspring inherit genetic material from both a male and a female parent. Parthenogenesis is a mode of asexual reproduction in which a new individual develops from an unfertilized egg cell. Androgenesis, therefore, represents a specific type of reproduction where the maternal genetic contribution is either absent or inactivated, and development proceeds using only the paternal genome.

This phenomenon has been observed in various organisms, including some plants and insects. In certain species, androgenesis can occur spontaneously. In other cases, it can be induced through experimental manipulation, often involving the inactivation or removal of the maternal chromosomes. This can be achieved through methods like irradiation of the egg or specific genetic crosses. The study of androgenesis is important for understanding genetic inheritance, reproductive biology, and has potential applications in plant breeding and biotechnology, such as the creation of haploid plants for faster breeding cycles. The complete absence of maternal genetic material distinguishes androgenesis from other forms of parthenogenesis.