Sun, sea, sand and more sun

Scientists have reportedly come up with a theory as to why many couples seem to conceive while they are on holiday – extra sunlight. Many media sources today report that research at a New Hampshire medical centre points to the fact that vitamin D – which is produced when the body is exposed to sunlight – can increase male fertility. According to the Daily Telegraph, he findings of the Dartmouth-Hitchcock medical centre show that boosting vitamin D production by exposure to sunlight could improve fertility. The newspaper points out that, while medical experts have long suggested that couples trying to conceive should take a holiday for its relaxant properties, it now appears that increased sunlight also has a part to play. However, the centre points out that any such effect would probably be smaller that that caused by other considerations such as smoking and alcohol, and warned against excessive sunbathing, which can cause skin cancer. Report by Tim Gillett, News From Abroad Ltd