Omegaverse worldbuilding: biology & reproduction
Since I’ve received questions about this so many times, I’ve decided to make a proper guide to my version of omegaverse biology!
This is specifically for my TDIP verse, but applies to how I envision a/b/o in general as well. This will also help me keep all my notes in one central place bc I strongly suspect that I may have contradicted myself a few times while talking about this before 😅
It’s important to note that the sexual biology set out below is merely the most common presentations. There are deviations from the norm due to various factors such as birth defects, mutation, disease, injury and so forth.
Omegas
female omegas have regular human female reproductive organs
have regular heats (about 3-6 times a year)
produce slick during and outside of heat
cannot impregnate another person
can be impregnated by all the other genders, excluding female betas
male omegas have a penis and testes, as well as ovaries, a uterus and an epivagina (vagina and rectum is separated by a flap that functions in a similar way to the epiglottis separating the trachea and the oesophagus) located within the anus
have regular heats (about 3-6 times a year)
produce slick during and outside of heat
can impregnate female omegas
because they do not have a knot, they cannot impregnate other genders that are capable of conceiving
can be impregnated by anyone with a knot
Betas
female betas have regular female reproductive organs
have less regular heats (about twice a year) and produce slick only during heats
cannot impregnate another person
can be impregnated by anyone with a knot
male betas have regular male reproductive organs
can only produce a knot during rut
have less regular ruts (about twice a year)
cannot conceive
can impregnate anyone who is able to conceive
Alphas
female alphas have a penis, knot and testes as well as a vagina
have regular ruts (about 3-6 times a year)
less regular heats (about twice a year) and they produce slick only during heats
can impregnate anyone who is able to conceive
can be impregnated by male alphas and male betas (only during rut)
male alphas have a penis, knot and testes
regular ruts (about 3-6 times a year)
can impregnate anyone who is able to conceive
cannot conceive
Reproductive compatibility summary
Down is impregnating ability, across is conceiving ability.
Assisted reproduction for male omegas
Male omegas are unable to impregnate with the same success as other sperm-havers (such as alphas and male betas) because they do not have a knot. With medical assistance, however, male omegas can impregnate other male omegas, female betas and female alphas. IVF is commonly used and research is also being done on the use of artificial knots.
The chart above is thus a reflection of natural reproduction abilities without medical intervention.
Social aspects
Traditionally, societal hierarchy has been highly influenced by reproductive biology.
Hierarchy
Hierarchy is established through a complex reckoning of reproductive abilities. The ability to impregnate as well as the frequency of ruts places a person higher on the social ladder, while the ability to conceive diminishes your position. Frequency of heats gives you an advantage, however.
Male alphas are thus generally at the top of the hierarchy because they have frequent ruts and the ability to breed. Female alphas follow after, their frequent ruts canceling out their ability to get pregnant and placing them higher than male betas. Male betas are followed by male omegas, whose ability to breed and frequent heats place them higher than female omegas and betas. Female betas, with their infrequent heats are then usually at the bottom of the hierarchy.
Mating/marriage
Only breeding couples were allowed to legally mate and marry. Non-breeding couples were ostracised, discriminated against and in some cases even violently oppressed.
Breeding is also still commonly seen as the ultimate goal of mateship. The breeding partner not only has the social hierarchy on their side, but it is also legally and commonly accepted they can end the mateship if their partner does not provide them with children.
There is a strong modern movement away from these traditionalist and sexist views, with marriage equality and legal protection against gender discrimination established in many countries, but many communities still hold those views and traditions.
