Seasonality of births and conceptions in a pastoral community of the province of l'Aquila (Abruzzo,Italy), 1802-1965

Natality rates and seasonality of births and conceptions were analyzed from 6,116 birth records in the pastoral community of Roio (Abruzzo, Italy) from 1802 to 1965. Gross natality rates averaged 25.5 x 1000 in the past, lower than those reported for agricultural groups. Seasonality of births showed a marked pattern: 807-67% of births occurred in the first six months of the year. The monthly distribution of conceptions was compared to that of marriages. The results show a high correlation in the 19th century and a lower one in the 20th century. These findings suggest that pastoralism acted as a primary regulator of reproduction in this community.