Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
polyspermia
noun
/ˌpɒliˈspɜːrmiə/
Definition
Polyspermia refers to the fertilization of an egg by multiple sperm cells.
Examples
- Polyspermia is a rare occurrence in humans but can happen in some species.
- The researchers studied polyspermia in certain types of sea urchins.
- Polyspermia can disrupt normal embryonic development.
Meaning
This condition occurs when more than one sperm penetrates an egg during fertilization, which is typically not allowed as it can lead to developmental issues.
Synonyms
- Multiple fertilization
- Superfertilization
