The relationship between sleep debt, social jetlag, and reproductive health

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K10994
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 58070:Lifelong developmental nursing-related
• Research Institution: Tokyo Institute of Technology (2022-2023); Meiji Pharmaceutical University (2019-2021)
• Principal Investigator: Komada Yoko 東京工業大学, リベラルアーツ研究教育院, 教授 (40451380)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 睡眠負債 / 社会的ジェットラグ / 月経 / 妊娠 / 出産

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study aimed to elucidate the relationship between sleep debt, social jet lag and reproductive health. We conducted (1) a survey on circadian rhythm and menstrual cycle among young women, (2) a study on the relationship between menstrual cycle and phase of the moon, (3) a survey on sleep habits and sleep problems during pregnancy. As results, (1) social jet lag was associated with more severe menstrual symptoms, (2) the onset of menstruation in the dark phase was associated with lower subjective sleep quality and (3) sleep quality became worse as the pregnancy progressed, i.e. longer sleep latency, worse sleep efficiency and sleep difficulties.

Free Research Field

睡眠学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

体内時計と女性の生殖機能との相互作用に関してこれまで多くの経験則が報告される一方、その実態とメカニズムの解明は明らかにされていない。交代勤務や時差など大幅な睡眠相の変動だけでなく、体内時計と社会的制約による生活時間のずれ（社会的ジェットラグ）が性周期と妊娠率に影響することが動物実験では示されてきたが、本研究より、ヒトにおいても睡眠負債や社会的ジェットラグがリプロダクティブヘルスに及ぼす影響が示唆された。