Annual and sub-annual rhythms in human conception rates: time-series analyses show annual and weekday but no monthly rhythms in daily counts for last normal menses.
Methods of time-series analysis, which are widely used to good effect in physical sciences and econometrics, have found little use in much-needed analyses of cyclical biological phenomena. Here we apply those methods to analyses of rhythmic patterns in human conception rates. Our results confirm the annual periodicity of monthly counts of total viable conceptions, demonstrate a weekday rhythm reflecting interaction of conjugal coital rhythms with individual menstrual fertility cycles, and find no evidence of any other significant repeating pattern.
Boklage
C E
CE
Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858-4354.
Zincone
L H
LH
Kirby
C F
CF
D016477:Artifacts; D003075:Coitus / Q000502:physiology*; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005260:Female; D005306:Fertilization / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000502:physiology*; D010507:Periodicity; D012016:Reference Values; D012621:Seasons; D012984:Software