Superfetation With Report 

 of a Case* 



By R. F. Bourne, B. Sc, D. V. S., Professor of Physiology, 

 Kansas City Veterinary College 



By the term superfetation is meant conception 

 in an animal already pregnant before the termi- 

 nation of the primary period of gestation. This 

 term should not be confused with superfecunda- 

 tion — ^the fertilization of two or more ova of the 

 same ovulation by separate copulative acts. 



Opportunity for erroneous conclusions in cases 

 of this character is so great that some authori- 

 ties have doubted the possibility of its occur- 

 rence; but there are recorded, several indisputa- 

 ble cases of superfetation and doubtless some who 

 read this may recall occurrences in their own ex- 

 perience. However, these instances seem to be 



•Reprinted from the Mieaouri Valley Veterinary BuUetin, July, 190J. 



