megtermékenyedést

Megtermékenyedés is a Hungarian term that translates to "superfecundation" or "multiple insemination" in English. It refers to a biological phenomenon where a female conceives from multiple males during the same estrous cycle or fertile period. This typically occurs in species where females can mate with several males in quick succession.

The result of superfecundation can be a litter of offspring where the fatherhood of each individual pup, kitten, or offspring is different. This means that siblings within the same litter can have different biological fathers. This reproductive strategy can increase genetic diversity within a litter, potentially enhancing the survival chances of the offspring.

Superfecundation is observed in various mammals, including domestic animals like cats and dogs, as well as some wild species. The biological mechanisms allow for the fertilization of multiple ova by sperm from different males. This phenomenon is distinct from superfetation, where a second pregnancy occurs after a first has already begun, leading to fetuses of different gestational ages. Megtermékenyedés is a single, albeit multiply-fertilized, pregnancy.