Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Seasonal Influences on In Vitro Fertilization and Embryo Transfer

  • Published:
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose: The study was aimed to investigate the influence of time factors (day, week, month) on pregnancy rates and in vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo transfer (ET) parameters.

Methods: 8184 IVF–ET cycles, taking place in two IVF centers from 1992 to 1999, were analyzed. Multiple logistic and linear regression methods were performed as statistical analyses.

Results: Oocyte pickup on Tuesdays achieved a significantly higher mean number of oocytes (median: 7) and the highest pregnancy rate (PR) (33.4%) per ET. There was a significant variation over the year, with the lowest PR/ET in July (25.71%) and the highest in December (35.5%). Concerning outcomes, the age factor and the number of embryos transferred had the highest significant (p < 0.0001) influence.

Conclusions: The observed weekly rhythm for oocyte pickups is certainly due to preprogrammed ovarian stimulation used in our IVF programs. Age as well as the number of embryos transferred are the main influencing factors on a positive outcome and more predictive than seasonal aspects.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

REFERENCES

  1. Stolwijk AM, Reuvers MJ, Hamilton CJ, Jongbloet PH, Hollanders JM, Zielhuis GA: Seasonality in the results of in vitro fertilization. Hum Rep 1994;9(12):2300-2305

    Google Scholar 

  2. Fleming C, Nice L, Hughes AO, Hull MG: Apparent lack of seasonal variation in implantation rates after in vitro fertilization. Hum Rep 1994;9(11):2164-2166

    Google Scholar 

  3. Dunphy BC, Anderson-Sykes S, Brant R, Pattinson HA, Greene CA: Human embryo implantation following in vitro fertilization: Is there a sesonal variation? Hum Rep 1995;10(7):1825-1827

    Google Scholar 

  4. Chamoun D; Udoff L; Scott L, Magder L, Adashi EY, McClamrock HD: A seasonal effect on pregnancy rates in an in vitro fertilization program. J Assist Rep Gen 1995;12(9):585-589

    Google Scholar 

  5. SAS Institute: SAS/STAT User's Guide,Version 6, Copyright 1990 by SAS Institute Ind, Cary, NC

    Google Scholar 

  6. Levine RJ, Bordson BL, Mathew RM, Brown MH, Stanley JM, Star TB: Deterioration of semen quality during summer inNew Orleans. Fertil Steril 1988;49(5):900-907

    Google Scholar 

  7. Levine RJ, Mathew RM, Chenault CB, Brown MH, Hurtt ME, Bentley KS, Mohr KL: Differences in the quality of semen in outdoor workers during summer and winter. N Engl J Med 1990;323(1):12-16

    Google Scholar 

  8. Centola GM, Eberly S: Seasonal variation and age related changes in human sperm count, motility, motion parameters, morphology, and white blood cell concentration. Fertil Steril 1999;803-808

  9. Reinberg A, Smolensky M, Hallek M, Smith K, Steinberger E: Annual variation in semen characteristics and plasma hormone levels in men undergoing vasectomy. Fertil Steril 1998;49(2):309-315

    Google Scholar 

  10. Politoff L, Birkhauser M, Almendral A, Zorn A: New data confirming a circa annual rhythm in spermatogenesis. Fertil Steril 1989;52(3):486-489

    Google Scholar 

  11. Saint Pol P, Beuscart R, Leroy-Martin B, Hermand E, Jablonsik W: Circannual rhythms of sperm parameters of fertile men. Fertil Steril 1989;51(6):1030-1033

    Google Scholar 

  12. Wood C, McMaster R, Rennie G, Trounson A, Leeton J: Factors influencing pregnancy rate following an embryo transfer. Fertil Steril 1985;43:245-250

    Google Scholar 

  13. Zerah S, de Mouzon J, Pfeffer J, Taar JP: Seasonal variation in sperm characteristics. Contracept Fertil Sex 1997;25(7-8):519-523

    Google Scholar 

  14. Schalue TK, Webert SK, Rognsvoog LM, Schlitter CS, Grainger DA, Tajden BL: Monthly variation among semen samples from 4114 infertility patients. Presented at the 1997 Annual Meeting of the American Society for Rep and Genetics, Cincinnati, Ohio, p 214 (Abstract)

  15. Yie SM, Niles LP, Younglai EV: Melatonin receptors on human granulosa cell membranes. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1995;80(5):1747-1749

    Google Scholar 

  16. Yie SM, Brown GM, Liu GY, Collins JA, Daya S, Hughes EG: Melatonin and steroids in human preovulatory follicular fluid: Seasonal variations and granulosa cell steroid production Hum Reprod 1995;10(1):50-55

    Google Scholar 

  17. Ronnberg L, Kauppila A, Leppaluto J, Martikainen H, Vakkuri O: Circadian and seasonal variation in human preovulatory follicular fluid melatonin concentration. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1990;71(2):492-496

    Google Scholar 

  18. Webley GE, Luck MR: Melatonin directly stimulates the secretion of progesterone by human and bovine granulosa cells in vitro. J Reprod Fertil 1986;78:711-717

    Google Scholar 

  19. Brzezinski A, Seibel MM, Lynch HJ, Deng MH, Wurtman RJ: Melatonin in human preovulatory fluid. J Clin Endocrin Metab 1987;865-867

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für Sterilitätsbetreuung, Lainzer Stra, Vienna, Austria

    Monika Weigert & Wilfried Feichtinger

  2. Kaali Intezet, Istenhegyi ut 54/A, Budapest, Hungary

    Sandor Kulin & Steven G. Kaali

  3. Institut für Medizinische Statistik der Universität Wien, Schwarzspanierstr. 17, Vienna, Austria

    Petra Dorau & Peter Bauer

Authors
  1. Monika Weigert
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Wilfried Feichtinger
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Sandor Kulin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Steven G. Kaali
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Petra Dorau
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Peter Bauer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Weigert, M., Feichtinger, W., Kulin, S. et al. Seasonal Influences on In Vitro Fertilization and Embryo Transfer. J Assist Reprod Genet 18, 598–602 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1013160905497

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1013160905497

Search

Navigation