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Seasonality of birth in India

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 July 2008

R. P. Bernard ,
Rohit V. Bhatt ,
D. M. Potts  and
A. Padma Rao
R. P. Bernard
Affiliation:
International Fertility Research Program, 22 Avenue Riant-Parc, Geneva, Switzerland
Rohit V. Bhatt
Affiliation:
General Hospital, Baroda, India
D. M. Potts
Affiliation:
International Fertility Research Program, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
A. Padma Rao
Affiliation:
Kasturba Medical College Hospital, Manipal, India
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Summary

The conception rate in Baroda and Manipal, India, is lowest during the hottest weather. The greatest extremes are found in Baroda and, following high summer temperatures, there is a prolongation of low conception rates which may indicate that part or all of the effect is mediated through an effect on scrotal temperature. However, other factors may also be involved and a reduction of coital frequency is likely at extremes of temperature. Seasonal changes in abortion, stillbirths and prematurity are also observed. Changes in spontaneous abortion could be due to heat stress in the mother or possibly to abnormal sperm production at high temperature or to less frequent coitus, leading to embryonic defects.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Biosocial Science , Volume 10 , Issue 4 , October 1978 , pp. 409 - 421
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1978

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