Do lunar phases affect conception rates in assisted reproduction?
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effect of the phases of the moon on pregnancy rates in humans following in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatment.


METHODS
Retrospective, observational study.


METHODS
Reproductive Medicine Unit, Liverpool Women's Hospital.


METHODS
Complete data for all women undergoing assisted conception procedures over a period of 13 years (1995-2002).


METHODS
Assisted conception procedures--IVF and ICSI.


METHODS
Biochemical pregnancy that is positive pregnancy test result following embryo transfer.


RESULTS
There was no significant effect of any lunar phase on the incidence of biochemical pregnancy (p-value 0.71). Age of the woman significantly affects the chances of pregnancy, (OR 0.95, 95% CI 0.91, 0.998, and p-value 0.04). The chances of pregnancy rises significantly with increase in the number of embryos replaced from 1 to 2 (OR 2.97, CI 1.36, 6.48, and p-value 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Pregnancy rates in humans, following assisted conception, appears to be independent of the effect of the lunar phase during which embryo transfer is carried out.
Das
Sangeeta
S
Reproductive Medicine Unit, Liverpool Women's Hospital, Crown Street, Liverpool, UK. sangeetadas65@aol.com
Dodd
Susanna
S
Lewis-Jones
David I
DI
Patel
Foram M
FM
Drakeley
Andrew J
AJ
Kingsland
Charles R
CR
Gazvani
Rafet
R
D000328:Adult; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016081:Moon; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D020554:Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic / Q000592:standards*