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Updated: Dec 21, 2025
Author Spotlight: Studying the Impact of Maternal Dietary Deficiencies on Long-Term Offspring Health Outcomes
Published on: June 28, 2024
Impact of vitamin D deficiency on mouse sperm structure and function
Fatemeh Dehghan Shahreza1, Mehdi Hajian2, Parvis Gharagozloo3
1Department of Clinical Science, School of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.
Background:
In rodents and humans, vitamin D deficiency (VDD) is associated with altered sperm structure and function (primarily decreased motility and morphological abnormalities) that are primarily attributed to VDD-induced hypocalcemia. However, it is suspected that VDD has much more drastic effects on mammalian spermatozoa.
Objectives:
The purpose of this study was to illustrate that VDD, depending on its severity and duration, can alter sperm nuclear integrity and can also lead to the loss of spermatozoa's ability to support embryonic development.
Materials And Methods:
A mouse model of induced VDD combining the action of a vitamin D-deficient diet, UV exposure limitation, and paricalcitol injections; a vitamin D2 analog that catabolizes endogenous vitamin D by increasing the expression of CYP24A, a member of the cytochrome P450 family, has been used to create different grades of VDD.
Results:
We show that the most significant sperm defect recorded concerns the integrity of the paternal nucleus, which is both decondensed and fragmented in moderate-to-severe VDD situations. Consistent with the known consequences of fertilization with DNA-damaged spermatozoa, we show that paternal VDD decreases the ability of spermatozoa to optimally support fertilization and embryonic development.
Discussion And Conclusion:
Given the worldwide high prevalence of VDD in humans, and although obtained in an animal model, the data presented here suggest that subfertile/infertile males may benefit from VDD testing and that attempts to correct serum vitamin D levels could be considered prior to conception, either naturally or through ART.
Insights
Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) severely impacts sperm nuclear integrity and function, potentially impairing male fertility. Testing and correcting vitamin D levels may benefit infertile males seeking conception.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Endocrinology
- Spermatozoa Research
Background:
- Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) is linked to impaired sperm structure and function in humans and rodents.
- Existing research often attributes these effects to VDD-induced hypocalcemia.
- However, VDD may exert more profound impacts on mammalian spermatozoa.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of VDD severity and duration on sperm nuclear integrity.
- To determine if VDD impairs spermatozoa's ability to support embryonic development.
Main Methods:
- A mouse model was developed to induce varying grades of VDD.
- This model combined a vitamin D-deficient diet, limited UV exposure, and paricalcitol injections.
- Paricalcitol increased CYP24A expression, catabolizing endogenous vitamin D.
Main Results:
- Moderate-to-severe VDD led to decondensation and fragmentation of the paternal nucleus.
- Fertilization with VDD-affected spermatozoa reduced the capacity to support embryonic development.
- Sperm nuclear integrity was identified as a critical defect in VDD.
Conclusions:
- VDD significantly compromises sperm nuclear integrity and function.
- These findings suggest VDD testing for subfertile/infertile males.
- Correcting vitamin D levels may be beneficial for male fertility and conception outcomes.
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