Male pregnancy: Difference between revisions
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{{otheruses4|pregnancy in male organisms|the sympathetic condition|Couvade}} |
{{otheruses4|pregnancy in male organisms|the sympathetic condition|Couvade}} |
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[[Image:MalePregnancy_poster.jpg|thumb|right|Ficticious Male pregnancy poster released by the [[Family Planning Association]] of Victoria (Australia) from the 1970's.]] |
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'''Male pregnancy''' is the making of one or more [[embryo]]s or [[fetuses]] by the [[male]] of any [[species]] inside their bodies. The majority of all [[pregnancy|pregnancies]] in the [[animal kingdom]] are carried by [[female]] organisms. In most [[heterogamous|heterogamous species]], the males produce the [[spermatozoa]] and rarely host the [[zygote]]. |
'''Male pregnancy''' is the making of one or more [[embryo]]s or [[fetuses]] by the [[male]] of any [[species]] inside their bodies. The majority of all [[pregnancy|pregnancies]] in the [[animal kingdom]] are carried by [[female]] organisms. In most [[heterogamous|heterogamous species]], the males produce the [[spermatozoa]] and rarely host the [[zygote]]. |
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===Speculation on inducing pregnancy in men=== |
===Speculation on inducing pregnancy in men=== |
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British physician [[Robert Winston]] speculates that it may be possible to surgically induce [[ectopic pregnancy#Nontubal ectopic pregnancy|abdominal ectopic pregnancy]] in men. In his book ''The IVF Revolution'', Winston speculates that an embryo could be implanted in a man's abdomen—with the placenta attached to an internal organ such as the bowel—and that the baby would later be delivered by Caesarean section. However, other experts expressed great concerns about the safety of such a procedure.<ref name="independent2">{{cite web | url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_19990222/ai_n14206683 | title=Babies borne by men 'possible' | date=1999-02-22 | publisher=[[The Independent]]}}</ref> |
British physician [[Robert Winston]] speculates that it may be possible to surgically induce [[ectopic pregnancy#Nontubal ectopic pregnancy|abdominal ectopic pregnancy]] in men. In his book ''The IVF Revolution'', Winston speculates that an embryo could be implanted in a man's abdomen—with the placenta attached to an internal organ such as the bowel—and that the baby would later be delivered by Caesarean section. However, other experts expressed great concerns about the safety of such a procedure.<ref name="independent2">{{cite web | url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_19990222/ai_n14206683 | title=Babies borne by men 'possible' | date=1999-02-22 | publisher=[[The Independent]]}}</ref> |
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===Possible science of a human male pregnancy=== |
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Oral doses of female [[hormone]]s would be administered to the man to make him receptive to the pregnancy. [[In vitro]] [[fertilization]] techniques would be used to induce an [[ectopic pregnancy]] by implanting an [[embryo]] and [[placenta]] into the [[abdominal]] cavity, just under or into the [[peritoneum]]. |
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Once implantation is complete, the man would stop taking hormones, because the pregnancy itself would took over. The embryo would secrete sufficient hormones to maintain its own growth and development. |
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The delivery will require open surgery ([[Cesarean section]]) to remove the baby and the placenta. Removal of the placenta would be the real danger because it forms such intimate connections with surrounding [[blood vessel]]s that a massive [[hemorrhage]] would be likely. Implantation may also involve other structures in the [[abdomen]], including the [[bowel]] and it is possible that parts of other organs might have to be removed. Several [[physician]]s who are well-accustomed to advanced and dangerous forms of ectopic pregnancies woule have be on-hand to handle any complication. |
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===Pregnancy among intersex and transgender people=== |
===Pregnancy among intersex and transgender people=== |
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Revision as of 17:38, 29 March 2008
Male pregnancy is the making of one or more embryos or fetuses by the male of any species inside their bodies. The majority of all pregnancies in the animal kingdom are carried by female organisms. In most heterogamous species, the males produce the spermatozoa and rarely host the zygote.
The Syngnathidae family of fish has the unique characteristic where females lay their eggs in a brood pouch on the male's chest, and the male incubates the eggs. Fertilization may take place in the pouch or before implantation in the water. Included in Syngnathidae are seahorses, the pipefish, and the weedy and leafy sea dragons. Syngnathidae is the only family in the animal kingdom to which the term "male pregnancy" has been applied.[1]
In humans
Speculation on inducing pregnancy in men
British physician Robert Winston speculates that it may be possible to surgically induce abdominal ectopic pregnancy in men. In his book The IVF Revolution, Winston speculates that an embryo could be implanted in a man's abdomen—with the placenta attached to an internal organ such as the bowel—and that the baby would later be delivered by Caesarean section. However, other experts expressed great concerns about the safety of such a procedure.[2]
Possible science of a human male pregnancy
Oral doses of female hormones would be administered to the man to make him receptive to the pregnancy. In vitro fertilization techniques would be used to induce an ectopic pregnancy by implanting an embryo and placenta into the abdominal cavity, just under or into the peritoneum.
Once implantation is complete, the man would stop taking hormones, because the pregnancy itself would took over. The embryo would secrete sufficient hormones to maintain its own growth and development.
The delivery will require open surgery (Cesarean section) to remove the baby and the placenta. Removal of the placenta would be the real danger because it forms such intimate connections with surrounding blood vessels that a massive hemorrhage would be likely. Implantation may also involve other structures in the abdomen, including the bowel and it is possible that parts of other organs might have to be removed. Several physicians who are well-accustomed to advanced and dangerous forms of ectopic pregnancies woule have be on-hand to handle any complication.
Pregnancy among intersex and transgender people
Some intersex people with XY chromosomes develop entirely female bodies and, if the individual develops a uterus, in vitro fertilization is possible.[3] In this situation, the pregnant person has a Y chromosome, which is usually associated with males.
Some transmen (female-to-male transgender people) who interrupt hormone treatments can become pregnant, while still identifying and living as male—this is possible for individuals who still have functioning ovaries.[4] One example is Matt Rice, a transman who is the former partner of writer Patrick Califia. Rice bore a child by artificial insemination.[5] Another transman, Thomas Beatie, chose to carry a child because his wife could no longer conceive. Beatie wrote an article about his pregnancy in The Advocate, and is due to give birth in July 2008.[6] The Washington Post further broadened the story on March 25 when blogger Emil Steiner called it the first "legally male" pregnancy on record.[7] This was in reference to the state of Oregon recognizing Beatie as a man, which California never did for Rice. Although these individuals are genetically and physiologically female, from an identity standpoint they may be considered "pregnant men".
Fetus in fetu
A rare condition in which a fetus can grow inside a male body is "fetus in fetu". Fetus in fetu is a developmental abnormality in which a fetus gets enveloped inside its twin and an entire living organ system with torso and limbs can develop inside the host.[8] The abnormality occurs in 1 in 500,000 live births.[9]
The case of Sanju Bhagat a man from Nagpur, India attracted attention in 1999 for the length of time (36 years) he had carried his parasitic "twin" inside his body, and the size of the growth. As Bhagat had no placenta the growth had connected directly to his blood supply. [10]
Human male pregnancy in fiction
Male pregnancy in myth
Various mythologies have featured male characters birthing, but such events typically either take place in an entirely different fashion than an ordinary female pregnancy, such as Athena springing fully-formed from Zeus's forehead, or Dionysus being born from his thigh. Male mythological figures may also become pregnant when rendered female in some way, such as the shapeshifter Loki turning into a mare to distract a stallion and ending up giving birth to Sleipnir.
In Hindu mythology, Lord Vishnu gives birth to Lord Brahma thus: a lotus emerges from his navel, like an external placenta and womb, carrying Brahma within.
Human male pregnancy in popular culture
Thematically, pregnancy can be related the to issues of parasitism and gender. Some science fiction writers have picked up on these issues, in "cross-gender" themes—e.g., Octavia Butler's Bloodchild. Lois McMaster Bujold's Ethan of Athos features an all-male society in which men use artificial wombs, but experience many of the psychological effects of pregnancy (anticipation, anxiety, etc.). In Marge Piercy's feminist utopian novel Woman on the Edge of Time, neither men nor women get pregnant, but men may take drugs to lactate and nurse the infant; the experience of "pregnancy" and the woman-only experience of nursing were sacrificed for gender equality.[11] Sheri Tepper uses male pregnancy as a form of political commentary in The Fresco, when intergalactic peace officers take politicians at their literal word that all life is sacred despite any personal drawbacks.
Male pregnancy is frequently seen in fan fiction. Such stories are marked as the genre "mpreg", a portmanteau of the words "Male" and "Pregnancy" which was coined by two writers under the pseudonyms of Taleya Joinson and Texas Ranger, who created and maintained what is believed to be the first fan fiction archive dedicated to stories of this genre in 1998.[12]
Male Pregnancy was also used as an example on The Simpsons when Homer was in the coffin.
In season 4 of the popular machinima series Red vs. Blue, a Covenant Elite impregnated Tucker with a parasitic embryo. Tucker gave birth to a miniature Alien off-screen at the end of the season named Blargity-Blarg Tucker, also named Junior or Abomination.
Two comedy films centered around the theme of such an event in humans, Rabbit Test (1978) and Junior (1994), have been released. The latter's attempts are somewhat scientifically feasible; the former does not address the matter. There is also a hoax site featuring a fictitious male pregnancy.[13]
References
- ^ Jones, Adam G. (2003-10-14). "Male Pregnancy" (HTML). Current Biology. 13 (20): R791.
{{cite journal}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ "Babies borne by men 'possible'". The Independent. 1999-02-22.
- ^ Khadilkar, Vaman. "Intersex Disorders", Pediatrician On Call web site
- ^ Faster than Life
- ^ Califia-Rice, Patrick (2000-06-20). "Two Dads With a Difference — Neither of Us Was Born Male". Village Voice. Retrieved 2008-03-22.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ "Labor of Love". The Advocate. 2008-03-26. Retrieved 2008-03-27.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ [1] washingtonpost.com OFF/beat blog March 25th, 2008
- ^ Chua, JHY (2005). "Fetus-in-fetu in the pelvis" (PDF). Annals of the Academy of Medicine Singapore. 34: 646–649.
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ Grant P, Pearn JH Foetus-in-foetu. Med J Aust. 1969; 1:1016-1020 — source not consulted; cited here following Hoeffel CC, Nguyen KQ, Phan HT, Truong NH, Nguyen TS, Tran TT, Fornes P. Fetus in fetu: a case report and literature review. Pediatrics. 2000 Jun;105(6):1335-44. PMID 10835078 free full text
- ^ "ABC News: A Pregnant Man?". i.abcnews.com. Retrieved 2008-03-27.
- ^ Piercy, Marge (1985-11-12). Woman on the Edge of Time. Fawcett. ISBN 0-449-21082-0.
{{cite book}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ [2]
- ^ Hoax website: "POP! The First Human Male Pregnancy". Retrieved 2008-03-27.
