In accordance with research presented at the 25th European Congress of Endocrinology, female mice can be subjected to shift work-like patterns for just four weeks before their biological clocks are thrown off and their ability to conceive is diminished. The research advances our knowledge of how circadian disturbances affect female fertility and may eventually help develop preventative measures for women who work irregular hours.

The body`s internal clocks, which are synced to a 24-hour period primarily by changes in light throughout days, produce the circadian rhythm. The sleep-wake cycle, hormone secretion, digestion, and reproduction are just a few of the biological processes and functions that these clocks control, but they are readily thrown off by inappropriate light exposure, such as light at night.