Researchers have discovered a new way that cells divide in cow embryos, leading to mixoploidy. By studying cow embryos, they found evidence of abnormal cell divisions that can result in a mix of parental genetic material. This could impact the development of the embryo. The researchers used a method called haplarithmisis to analyze the genetic makeup of individual cells in the embryos. They found that some embryos had genetic material from both parents, indicating a non-traditional way of cell division. This finding sheds light on how genetic material is passed on in early embryo development.