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Do lunar phases affect conception rates in assisted reproduction?
Sangeeta Das1, Susanna Dodd, David I Lewis-Jones
1Reproductive Medicine Unit, Liverpool Women's Hospital, Crown Street, Liverpool, UK. sangeetadas65@aol.com
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics
|April 6, 2005
Summary
This study found no link between moon phases and human pregnancy success after assisted conception. Factors like maternal age and embryo number significantly influence IVF and ICSI outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive endocrinology and lunar cycle research.
Background:
- Anecdotal beliefs suggest lunar phases influence human reproduction.
- Scientific investigation is needed to validate or refute these claims in assisted reproduction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if lunar phases impact pregnancy rates in individuals undergoing in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).
Main Methods:
- A retrospective observational study analyzed 13 years of assisted conception data (1995-2002).
- Included in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) procedures.
- Biochemical pregnancy, defined by a positive pregnancy test post-embryo transfer, was the primary outcome measure.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant association was found between lunar phases and biochemical pregnancy rates (p=0.71).
- Advanced maternal age was a significant negative predictor of pregnancy.
- Replacing 1 to 2 embryos significantly increased pregnancy chances (OR 2.97).
Conclusions:
- Human pregnancy rates following assisted conception are not demonstrably affected by the lunar phase at the time of embryo transfer.
- Maternal age and embryo transfer policy remain critical factors in assisted reproductive technology outcomes.