Preovulatory Overripeness of the Egg in the Human Subject

Abstract

Anomalies of conception which endanger the ensuing pregnancy have been reviewed. The range of possible consequences include “occult” and early spontaneous abortions, a wide spectrum of chromosome defects, developmental anomalies, such as those of the brain (with a wide range of neuro‐psychopathology as a consequence) and possibly some other abnormalities of gestation. Pathology either of the pregnancy or of the products of conceptions caused by preovulatory overripeness ovopathy may be expected from conceptions that occur at times of changing endocrine patterns, reflected clinically in a transition from anovulation and vice versa. One can anticipate finding this conceptopathology reflected epidemiologically in a U‐shaped curve in relation to the reproductive age of the mother, in another U‐shaped curve relevant to the duration of the conception interval, and finally in a 4‐peaked birth curve related to seasonal variations of the ovulatory patterns.

Relationship between congenital anomalies and contraception

“…In one study [107], he ascertained 127 couples who had mentally retarded children, and inquired about the circumstances in which the children were conceived. After excluding couples in which the child had a known 'genetic' or 'metabolic' defect, there remained 49 couples who experienced unintended pregnancies while practicing rhythm (calendar method in all except 2 cases).…”

The Effect of Maternal Age, Parity, Fetal Sex and Season upon Early Intrauterine Development

“…A number of well-documented observations are on record which indicate that characteristic seasonal fluctuations in ovulation (50), conception (8,20,35,63,74,96), abortion (7,21,59) and birth rates (19) and in the incidence of birth defects (4,22,28,45,48,51,58,62,95) exist in virtually all populations investigated. In summarizing the available data, it was demonstrated that in the northern half of Europe ovulation and conception rates showed a major rise in the spring and a minor increase in the fall with declines in the summer and winter.…”

Pregnancy outcome associated with natural family planning (NFP): scientific basis and experimental design for an international cohort study

“…Jongbloet [60] further claimed that areas of Europe having predominantly Catholic populations had a higher incidence of both anencephaly and Down syndrome. Such a claim fails to take into account genetic factors and other variables.…”

“…Jongbloet and colleagues [59][60][61] have published several studies relating directly or indirectly to NFP populations. In our opinion, all these studies are characterized by potential pitfalls.…”

“…In our opinion, all these studies are characterized by potential pitfalls. In one study [60], parents of 127 institutionalized mentally retarded children were interviewed regarding the circumstances surrounding the conception of their abnormal child. Forty-nine pregnancies were considered to have been associated with NFP 'failure', whereas 93 were considered to have been 'voluntary' pregnancies; no information was provided on 78 other pregnancies.…”