Mcgriff, S

Abstract Introduction Women in healthcare are faced with unique challenges that may increase the risk of infertility including irregular work hours, occupational hazards due to radiation or chemicals, and advanced maternal age. Objective We therefore sought to investigate live birth rates of female healthcare workers presenting with infertility compared to their non-healthcare counterparts. Methods After obtaining IRB approval, a retrospective review of hospital employees and partners presenting for a fertility evaluation between 2013-2019 was conducted. Patient age, BMI, history of previous live birth, occupation, use of assisted reproductive technology and female fertility factor were recorded. Couples with at least 12 months of follow up from initial presentation as well as a documented semen analysis were included in the study. Normal semen parameters were defined by the World Health Organization 2010 criteria. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify factors associated with increased likelihood of live birth. Results Of the 934 female partners identified, 445 were healthcare workers and 489 non-healthcare workers. Female age, BMI, smoking status, and history of previous live birth were not statistically significant between groups. No differences in male partner age, BMI, semen parameters and presence of male factor were noted. As an overall group, female age, male age, and abnormal concentration were noted to impact live birth rates (p<0.016). Live birth rates were higher in female health care workers compared to non-healthcare workers, 76.1 vs. 69.6%, respectively, p=0.042. The cohort was then further analyzed to determine if there was a difference in between females holding a Doctor of Medicine (MD) and other medical occupations (91 MDs vs 357 other occupations). Live birth rates, pregnancy complications, and preterm labor were not statistically significant, however MDs were found to have higher rates of use of assisted reproductive technologies (IUI or IVF) and were more likely to be older at time of evaluation (p=0.0015). After controlling for age at delivery, female physicians were still more likely to utilize ARTs, but this was no longer statistically significant (p=0.0806). Conclusions In this cohort of hospital employees, female healthcare workers had a higher live birth rate despite no differences in age, BMI, female factor infertility, use of assisted reproductive technology, or male partner factors. However, when the subgroup of female hospital employees was further analyzed, MDs were noted to have higher use of assisted reproductive technologies and older age. This indicates increased difficulty achieving pregnancy, likely a reflection of advanced maternal age. Further research is needed to identify subgroups within the healthcare population that may be at greater risk for infertility. Disclosure No

Abstract Introduction Physicians may be subjected to grueling work hours, sleep deprivation, and a stressful work environment during their prime reproductive years. While attention to fertility among female physicians has garnered interest in recent years, little is known about the fertility of their male colleagues. Objective In this study we sought to compare semen parameters of male physicians presenting for a fertility evaluation compared to their non-physician counterparts. Methods Upon IRB approval, a retrospective review of all hospital employed individuals (or their partners) who underwent a semen analysis between 2013-2019 was performed. Post-vasectomy semen analysis patients were excluded. Baseline patient demographics including age, comorbidities, occupation, and BMI were recorded. Normal semen parameters were defined by the World Health Organization 2010 criteria. A comparison analysis of semen analysis parameters, baseline characteristics, and comorbidities was conducted with a significant p-value defined as <0.05. Results Of the 169 physicians and 438 non-physicians identified, physicians were more likely to have a lower BMI (median 25.8 vs. 28.0, p<0.0001) when compared to their non-physician counterparts. Physicians were less likely to have ADHD, depression, obstructive sleep apnea, malignancy, alcohol abuse, and history of smoking (p<0.05). Physicians had better semen parameters including pH, concentration, motility, volume, and morphology (p<0.05), with a greater sperm concentration (68.4 vs. 52.2 million/mL, p<0.0001) and higher total motile sperm count (125 vs. 86.4 million, p<0.0001) compared to non-physicians. However, male physicians were more likely to be older at time of semen analysis (33.8 versus 32.7 years, p<0.05), more likely to utilize assisted reproductive technology (IVF and IUI, p=0.0277), have older female partners (p=0.0053), and have older female partners at time of delivery (p=0.0124). Conclusions In this study we report, for the first time, semen parameters of physicians compared to non-physicians. Physicians had a significantly higher total motile sperm count and sperm concentration; however, they were older at time of semen analysis, more likely to utilize ART, and more likely to have older female partners. While physicians may be healthier, this may indicate increased difficulty achieving pregnancy. Patient care is directly impacted by the health and safety provided to their physicians. As the paradigm in the medical field shifts from caring only for our patients to caring for ourselves, fertility amongst male physicians warrants further investigation. Disclosure No

ABSTRACT Introduction Women in healthcare are faced with unique challenges that may increase their risk of infertility including irregular work hours, occupational hazards due to radiation or chemicals, and advanced maternal age. Objective We sought to investigate live birth rates of female healthcare workers presenting with infertility compared to their non-healthcare counterparts. Methods After obtaining IRB approval, a retrospective review of all hospital employees (and their partners) presenting for a fertility evaluation between 2013-2019 was conducted. Patient age, BMI, history of previous live birth, occupation, use of assisted reproductive technology and female fertility factor were recorded. Couples with at least 12 months of follow up from initial presentation as well as a documented semen analysis were included in the study. Normal semen parameters were defined by the World Health Organization 2010 criteria. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify factors associated with increased likelihood of live birth. Results Of the 934 female partners identified, 445 were healthcare workers and 489 non-healthcare workers. Female age, female BMI, smoking status, and history of previous live birth were not statistically significant between groups. No differences in male partner age, male BMI, semen parameters and presence of male factor were noted. Live birth rate was greater in female health care workers compared to non-healthcare workers, 76.1 vs. 69.6%, respectively, p=0.042. Conclusions In this cohort of hospital employees, female healthcare workers had a higher live birth rate despite no differences in age, BMI, rate of female factor infertility, use of assisted reproductive technology, or male partner factors. While no differences in fertility were noted for female health care workers in this study, further research is needed to identify subgroups within the healthcare population that may be at greater risk for infertility. Disclosure No