ELI5 Why are people with an odd number of chromosomes able to reproduce if animals with an odd number of chromosomes cannot?

Submitted by hsjnsnsjsbjsjbs t3_yism8t in explainlikeimfive

I want to be very clear, I am not saying that there is anything wrong with people with Down syndrome having or raising children. I am confused because I learn in high school biology that animals like mules cannot reproduce because of their odd number of chromosomes so why is this not true for humans with an odd number of chromosomes?

268

Comments

You must log in or register to comment.

PM_ME___IDK_WHATEVER t1_iukb52q wrote

Largely speaking it is true. Statistically the majority of females and nearly all males with Down syndrome are infertile.

446