Effect of Nursing Job on Fertility Potential of Nurses in Babylon Province

Objective: The aim of the study: To study the effect of nursing job on nurses fertility potential. Back ground: Fertility potential refers to the ability of couples to reproduce and depends on both female and male partners. Human Fertility Potential is a very sensitive process which can be influenced by many factors such as jobs opportunities.  Fertility potential can be measured by ovarian reserve markers. Methods: This is a case control study conducted in Hilla Teaching hospital and Babylon teaching hospital for maternity and pediatric; form: May 2015 - November 2015.  Fifty women were included in this study working as nurses in gynecological and obstetric department (Number =50) and eighty-one women as a control group (Number = 81). Assessment of effect of nursing job was done by standard questionnaire and basal Hormonal levels (follicle stimulating hormone, estradiol hormone, prolactin hormone and thyroid stimulating hormone) were determine women by using (mini VIDAS) method. Result: There is a significant difference in the residence, educational level, menstrual cycle regularity between nurses and control group (p<0.05). Significant differences (p<0.05) were identified in cycle day two serum level of Estradiol and Prolactin hormones, between the nurses group and control group . Conclusion: Nurses working in gynecological and obstetric wards are liable for the effects of shift work which may disturb circadian rhythm and may cause cycle irregularities and alter endocrine function and possibly the regulation of reproductive hormones and fertility. Key words: Fertility potential, follicle stimulating hormone, estradiol hormone, prolactin hormone, thyroid stimulating hormone, nursing job