Abstract
The annual numbers of human births were analyzed with regard to an 11-year cycle. The annual values were obtained from seven different regions: Australia, Germany, England and Wales, New Zealand, Japan, Switzerland, and the USA. Fifty-five annual values were obtained from each region for the years 1930 to 1984, comprising approximately five sunspot cycles. For each region the annual values were formed into 5 by 11 matrices; the eleven column means obtained were standardized, and plotted. A periodic regression technique, utilizing the fitting functions of the Fourier series, was used to evaluate the temporal order in the column means. Eleven-year rhythms were found and compared with solar and geophysical variables. Correlations were found with sunspots and solar flares, with terrestrial measures of magnetic disturbances (the magnetic indices derived from the K-index), and with temperature. The correlation of conceptions with the 11-year solar cycle may be a potential guide in the selection of further variables for the control and regulation of the rhythms in human conceptions.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bliss C (1970) Statistics in biology. McGraw-Hill, New York
Delouis H, Mayaud P (1975) Spectral analysis of the geomagnetic activity index aa over a 103-year interval. J Geophys Res 80:4681–4696
Dorfman D (1983) Group testing. In: Kotz S, Johnson N (eds) Encyclopedia of statistical sciences, vol 3. Wiley, New York, pp 536–539
Elliot J (1978) Circadian rhythms and photoperiodic time measurement in mammals. Fed Proc 35:2339–2346
Friis-Christensen E, Lassen K (1991) Length of the solar cycle: an indicator of solar activity closely associated with climate. Science 254:698–700
Hajek E, Gutierrez J, Espinosa G (1981) Seasonality of conceptions in human populations in Chile. Int J Biometeorol 25:281–291
IAGA Bulletin no 32p: Geomagnetic data 1985: IAGA indices (1990) Menvielle M, Berthelier A (eds) ISGI Publ Office, Saint Maur des Fosses, France
Jokippi J (1991) Overview of cosmic rays, and solar and interplanetary physics research (1987–1990). Rev Geophys Suppl 29:907–908
Jones P, Raper S, Bradley H, Diaz P, Kelly P, Wigley T (1986) Northern hemisphere surface air temperature variations: 1851–1984. J Clim Appl Meteorol 25:161–179
Karsch F, Malpaux B, Wayne N, Robinson J (1988) Characteristics of the melatonin signal that provides the photoperiodic code for timing seasonal reproduction in the ewe. Reprod Nutr Dev 28:459–472
Lam D, Miron J (1987) The seasonality of births in human populations. Research report no 87–114, Populations Studies Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Lean J (1991) Variation in the sun's radiative output. Rev Geophys 29:505–535
Mayaud P (1980) Derivation, meaning, and use of geomagnetic indices. American Geophysical Union, Washington, DC
Niklowitz P, Hoffman K (1988) Pineal and pituitary involvement in the photoperiodic regulation of body weight, coat color and testicular size of the Djungarian hamster,Phodopus sungorus. Biol Reprod 39:489–498
Pasamanick B, Dinitz S, Knobloch H (1959) Geographic and seasonal variations in births. Public Health Rep 74:285–288
Randall W (1987) A statistical analysis of the annual pattern in births in the USA, 1967 to 1987. J Interdiscipl Cycle Res 18:234–245
Randall W (1990) The solar wind and human birth rate: a possible relationship due to magnetic disturbances. Int J Biometeorol 34:42–48
Randall W (1991) An eleven-year cycle in human births. Int J Biometeorol 34:42–48
Randall W (1993) Photoperiod, temperature, and regional patterns of conceptions in the USA. Int J Biometeorol 37:52–60
Reid G (1991) Solar total irradiance variations and the global sea surface temperature record. J Geophys Res 96:2835–2844
Rey W (1978) Robust statistical methods. Springer, New York
Roenneberg T, Aschoff J (1990a) Annual rhythm of human reproduction. I. Biology, sociology, or both? J Biol Rhythms 5:195–216
Roenneberg T, Aschoff J (1990b) Annual rhythm of human reproduction. II. Environmental correlations. J Biol Rhythms 5:217–239
Savides T, Messin S, Senger C, Kripke D (1986) Natural light exposure of young adults. Physiol Behav 38:571–574
Seiver D (1985) Trend and variation in the seasonality of U.S. fertility, 1947 to 1976. Demograph 22:89–100
Sharma K (1968) A generalized program for the treatment of periodic data. Master's Thesis, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
Solar-Geophysical Data, comprehensive reports, part 2 (1992) National Geophysical Data Center, Boulder
Tinsley B, Brown G, Scherrer P (1989) Solar variability influences on weather and climate: possible connections through cosmic ray fluxes and storm intensification. J Geophys Res 94:14783–14792
Wever R (1985) Use of light to treat jet lag: differential effects of normal and bright artificial light on human circadian rhythms. Ann NY Acad Sci 453:282–304
Wever R (1989) Light effects on human circadian rhythms: a review of recent Andechs experiments. J Biol Rhythms 4:161–186
Wilson R, Hudson H (1988) Solar luminosity variations in solar cycle 21. Nature 332:810–812
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Randall, W., Moos, W.S. The 11-year cycle in human births. Int J Biometeorol 37, 72–77 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01214384
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01214384