The study was conducted by the University of Western Australia. It serves as a warning for all young female veterinarians, who must know the inherent risks should they want to get pregnant.
Breathing nitrous oxide, used in anesthesia, has long been known to cause miscarriage.
The study's lead researcher, Dr. Adeleh Shirangi told BBC news , "Prior to our study, there had been very little research looking at female vets' exposures to occupational hazards and how this affects their health.
"We found that many of the vets surveyed either didn't have the safety equipment in their practices, or they had the equipment but weren't using it correctly.
"We hope that our research will make vets aware of the need to fully protect themselves whilst they are working, especially if they planning to have a baby."
The Australian researchers surveyed 2,800 veterinarians about their known exposure to anesthetic gases, pesticides and X-rays. Those who were exposed to anesthetic gases and pesticides for an hour or more a week had 2.5 chance of miscarriage. Those who performed x-rays more than five times a week had 1.8 times the chance of miscarriage. Miscarriage is defined as the loss of a baby before the 24th week of pregnancy.
This prompts the authors to sound a warning to female vets who are of childbearing age, that they "should be fully informed of the possible reproductive effects of ionizing radiation, unscavenged anesthetic gases, and exposure to pesticides." Thus, they advise that these women should take protective measures when planning to conceive and during gestation.
The study was published on April 1, 2008 in the BMJ Specialty Journal Occupational and Environmental Medicine
