Mules and Hinnies: Sterile, or No?

almost_mozart · 12-01-2007, 10:08 PM

My biology instructor was trying to tell the class the other day that mules are sterile, which, of course, is true, but I brought up the exceptions that sometimes occur (mules giving birth), which made him rather angry. At first he thought I was nuts, then changed tactics.

He said that because of the way chromosomes line up, if you pair a donkey father with a horse mother, you will end up with a mule offspring, which is sterile (common knowledge). But he also said that if the horse is the father and the donkey is the mother, the sex-linked chromosomes align in such a way that produces an offspring that can reproduce. It sounds like a bunch of

to me, but is this really true? Can hinnies reproduce?

He cited the differences between ligers and tiglons as examples, saying that one is sterile and the other isn't.

Mvernese · 12-01-2007, 10:12 PM

Wasnt there a mule not to long ago that had a mule baby?

Im pretty sure I was reading about it on here. There was a whole article photos and everything.

cascy · 12-01-2007, 10:13 PM

As far as I've ever know they are both "supposed" to be sterile... Now, of course we all know there have been exceptions in mules having babies and I believe thier are hinney's that have foaled as well, but they are "supposed" to both be sterile.

AlbertaGirl · 12-01-2007, 10:15 PM

There was a thread posted on this a little while ago Female mule had a foal!!!

I did a search, and found mention of there being one hinny who reproduced http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinny

cascy · 12-01-2007, 10:17 PM

Wanted to add:

If your professor try's to say that mules can't foal, show him this...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/2290491.stm

And here is another for his reply that hinney's are not sterile
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinny

almost_mozart · 12-01-2007, 10:18 PM

Good.

Confirmation of my belief that my instructor is an idiot. He's not a very nice man, either.

ToveroMom · 12-01-2007, 10:47 PM

There are LOTS of sterile hinny's-never seen an article on a hinny foaling exept once-Mongolia I think.

Mule Fool · 12-02-2007, 08:10 AM

I've never heard of a hinny reproducing, although I would imagine it's about as possible as a mule doing it. Which would be once in a blue moon. I did read recently that when trying to produce a hinny from the stallion/jennet mating the conception rate is only about 20%. Much less than trying to produce a mule, so perhaps that does suggest there is something different about the way the chromosomes link up, although you would think they would be LESS likely to reproduce than a mule.

HorseDork · 12-08-2007, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by almost_mozart

Good.

Confirmation of my belief that my instructor is an idiot. He's not a very nice man, either.

as so many bio teachers are.

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12-01-2007, 10:08 PM
almost_mozart Started Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: .....transitioning..... Posts: 2,423	Mules and Hinnies: Sterile, or No? My biology instructor was trying to tell the class the other day that mules are sterile, which, of course, is true, but I brought up the exceptions that sometimes occur (mules giving birth), which made him rather angry. At first he thought I was nuts, then changed tactics. He said that because of the way chromosomes line up, if you pair a donkey father with a horse mother, you will end up with a mule offspring, which is sterile (common knowledge). But he also said that if the horse is the father and the donkey is the mother, the sex-linked chromosomes align in such a way that produces an offspring that can reproduce. It sounds like a bunch of to me, but is this really true? Can hinnies reproduce? He cited the differences between ligers and tiglons as examples, saying that one is sterile and the other isn't.

12-01-2007, 10:12 PM
Mvernese Yearling Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 626	Wasnt there a mule not to long ago that had a mule baby? Im pretty sure I was reading about it on here. There was a whole article photos and everything. __________________ www.fullcircleranch.us

12-01-2007, 10:13 PM
cascy Kid Safe Join Date: May 2006 Location: arkansas Posts: 6,006	As far as I've ever know they are both "supposed" to be sterile... Now, of course we all know there have been exceptions in mules having babies and I believe thier are hinney's that have foaled as well, but they are "supposed" to both be sterile. __________________ To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.

12-01-2007, 10:15 PM
AlbertaGirl Greenbroke Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Alberta Posts: 3,259	There was a thread posted on this a little while ago Female mule had a foal!!! I did a search, and found mention of there being one hinny who reproduced http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinny __________________ Some people say horses don't have a sense of humor... they obviously haven't met mine yet ;o)

12-01-2007, 10:17 PM
cascy Kid Safe Join Date: May 2006 Location: arkansas Posts: 6,006	Wanted to add: If your professor try's to say that mules can't foal, show him this... http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/2290491.stm And here is another for his reply that hinney's are not sterile http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinny __________________ To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.

12-01-2007, 10:18 PM
almost_mozart Started Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: .....transitioning..... Posts: 2,423	Good. Confirmation of my belief that my instructor is an idiot. He's not a very nice man, either.

12-01-2007, 10:47 PM
ToveroMom Pasture Pet Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Cleveland TX Posts: 15,296	There are LOTS of sterile hinny's-never seen an article on a hinny foaling exept once-Mongolia I think. __________________ "In America,anyone can be President. That is one of the chances you take" Adlai Stevenson

12-02-2007, 08:10 AM
Mule Fool Started Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Washington State Posts: 2,283	I've never heard of a hinny reproducing, although I would imagine it's about as possible as a mule doing it. Which would be once in a blue moon. I did read recently that when trying to produce a hinny from the stallion/jennet mating the conception rate is only about 20%. Much less than trying to produce a mule, so perhaps that does suggest there is something different about the way the chromosomes link up, although you would think they would be LESS likely to reproduce than a mule.