Vitamin D deficiency in infertile patients

According to the WorldHealth Organization (WHO) definition, infertility is "thefailure of a sexually active, non-contracepting couple toachieve pregnancy in one year" and is a complicateddisorder with its medical, psychosocial and economicaspects. There is some proof that vitamin D deficiencyhas important effects on the male reproductive system.There are numerous animal trials and a limited numberof human trials investigating this topic. In our study, thepurpose is to consider vitamin D deficiency as a causeof infertility and investigate the relationship of serum vitaminD levels and infertility primarily in our region whereexposure to sunlight is relatively low.

Between 01.10.2014and 01.05.2015, 103 patients between the ages 20-40 that applied because of infertility were included in the study as the study group, and fertile male patientsbetween the ages 20-40 that applied for reasons otherthan infertility were included as the control group.A detailed anamnesis was obtained and physical examinationswere performed in all patients participatingin the study. The ages, duration of marriage, primarydiagnoses and presence of other diseases were questioned,semen analyses were performed. The serum testosterone,vitamin D, Ca (Calcium), follicle stimulatinghormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels weretested after a 12 hour fasting period between 10:00and 12:00 in the morning.

There was no significant difference between the study group and control group in demographic features and serum testosterone levels. Vitamin D deficiency was detected in 89 (86.4%) patients of the study group and 33 (66%) of the control group. A significant difference of vitamin D deficiency rates was detected between the groups (p0.05).

It has been shown that vitamin D hasimportant functions in the male reproductive system. Inpatients with vitamin D deficiency, the semen parametersare affected negatively and vitamin replacement isrequired.