According to a study presented at the 25th European Congress of Endocrinology, female mice can be put to shift work-like patterns for only four weeks before their biological clocks are thrown off and their ability to conceive is diminished. The study adds to our understanding of how circadian disruptions affect female fertility and may potentially aid in the development of prophylactic strategies 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.