A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Regional differences in waiting time to pregnancy among fertile couples from four European cities
Authors: Jensen TK, Slama R, Ducot B, Suominen J, Cawood EH, Andersen AG, Eustache F, Irvine S, Auger S, Jouannet P, Vierula M, Jørgensen N, Toppari J, Skakkebaek NE, Keiding N, Spira A
Publication year: 2001
Journal: Human Reproduction
Journal name in source: Human reproduction (Oxford, England)
Journal acronym: Hum Reprod
Volume: 16
Issue: 12
First page : 2697
Last page: 704
Number of pages: 8
ISSN: 0268-1161
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/16.12.2697
Abstract
A previous European study found a longer time to pregnancy (TTP) among fertile women from Paris compared with women from other Western European countries. A co-ordinated, cross-sectional study of pregnant couples from Denmark (Copenhagen), France (Paris), Scotland (Edinburgh) and Finland (Turku) was therefore undertaken to assess differences in waiting TTP among couples from these cities.\nFrench couples had a decreased probability of conception compared with couples from the other three countries, although only after adjustment for confounders. No significant differences between couples from the three other countries were found.\nPregnant women were invited to participate when they showed up for their first antenatal visit in one of the four centres. Inclusion criteria included that their partner was 20-45 years of age and born in the country in which he was currently living and that the pregnancy was achieved without fertility treatment. Both partners filled in a questionnaire and the man underwent a physical examination and delivered a semen sample (Turku: n = 237, Copenhagen: n = 302, Edinburgh: n = 212, Paris: n = 191).\nThe observed geographical differences in TTP remain unexplained and were not due to differences in semen quality, but may be caused by varying exposures to environmental factors or psychological distress. In addition, selection bias due to the low participation rates cannot be ruled out. Future studies examining the causes for geographical differences in TTP are needed.\nBACKGROUND\nRESULTS\nMETHODS\nCONCLUSION
A previous European study found a longer time to pregnancy (TTP) among fertile women from Paris compared with women from other Western European countries. A co-ordinated, cross-sectional study of pregnant couples from Denmark (Copenhagen), France (Paris), Scotland (Edinburgh) and Finland (Turku) was therefore undertaken to assess differences in waiting TTP among couples from these cities.\nFrench couples had a decreased probability of conception compared with couples from the other three countries, although only after adjustment for confounders. No significant differences between couples from the three other countries were found.\nPregnant women were invited to participate when they showed up for their first antenatal visit in one of the four centres. Inclusion criteria included that their partner was 20-45 years of age and born in the country in which he was currently living and that the pregnancy was achieved without fertility treatment. Both partners filled in a questionnaire and the man underwent a physical examination and delivered a semen sample (Turku: n = 237, Copenhagen: n = 302, Edinburgh: n = 212, Paris: n = 191).\nThe observed geographical differences in TTP remain unexplained and were not due to differences in semen quality, but may be caused by varying exposures to environmental factors or psychological distress. In addition, selection bias due to the low participation rates cannot be ruled out. Future studies examining the causes for geographical differences in TTP are needed.\nBACKGROUND\nRESULTS\nMETHODS\nCONCLUSION
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