According to an American study published this week in the journal Occupational &Environmental Medicine , working conditions have an impact on women's fertility. More specifically, the fact of working late and/or exercising a physical profession would help to reduce the fertility of the women concerned.
The study was conducted on 473 patients from a clinic specializing in fertility disorders, with a median age of 35 years. Among them, those whose work involves lifting heavy objects (whether sometimes or often) had fewer oocytes in reserve than the others. And among those involved in IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) treatment, the same observation:a poorer response to ovarian stimulation (on average 14.5% fewer mature oocytes). And it was even worse for overweight women (BMI greater than or equal to 25). The hypothesis was also verified for women working staggered hours, in the evening or at night.
While the study alone is too small to confirm the link between working conditions and fertility, it complements other studies already highlighting this link. A future avenue for fertility research?
