Seasonal variation in assisted conception cycles and the influence of photoperiodism on outcome in in vitro fertilization cycles

Abstract

The effect of seasonality and daylight length on mammalian reproduction leading to spring births has been well established, and is known as photoperiodism. In assisted reproduction there is much greater uncertainty as to the effect of seasonality. This was a 4-year retrospective analysis of 2709 standardised cycles of IVF/ICSI. Data was analysed with regard to the 1642 cycles occurring during the months of extended daylight (Apr – Sept) and those 1067 cycles during winter months of restricted light length (Oct – Mar). The results showed that there was significant improvement in assisted conception outcomes in cycles performed in summer (lighter) months with more efficient ovarian stimulation 766iu v880iu/per oocyte retrieved (p = 0.006). There was similarly a significantly improved implantation rate per embryo transferred 11.42% vs 9.35% (p = 0.011) and greater clinical pregnancy rate 20% vs 15% (p = 0.0033) during summer cycles. This study appears to demonstrate a significant benefit of increased daylight length on outcomes of IVF/ICSI cycles. Whilst the exact mechanism of this is unclear, it would seem probable that melatonin may have actions at multiple sites and on multiple levels of the reproductive tract, and may exert a more profound effect on outcomes of assisted conception cycles than has been previously considered.