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Possible influence of vitamin D on male reproduction.

The Journal of steroid biochemistry and molecular biology
October 1, 2017
Ida Marie Boisen et al. (6 authors)
Journal ArticleReviewResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to explore the role of vitamin D (and indirectly calcium, due to its regulatory relationship with vitamin D) in male reproductive function, including semen quality and fertility.

Results Summary

The study found that vitamin D positively influences sperm motility, acrosome reaction, and semen quality, with higher VDR and CYP24A1 expression correlating with better semen parameters. Clinical studies also suggested a link between serum vitamin D levels and improved reproductive outcomes, though causality remains unconfirmed.

Population

Fertile and infertile men, with additional insights from animal models.

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

Not specified

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (8)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
Vitamin D
neutral
calcium homeostasis and bone health
-
-
is a versatile signaling molecule with an established role in the regulation
#1
Vitamin D
increase
semen quality
human spermatozoa
-
serves as positive predictive markers
#2
VDR
increase
intracellular calcium concentration, sperm motility, and induces the acrosome reaction
-
-
mediates a non-genomic increase
#3
Vitamin D
neutral
sex steroid production, estrogen signaling, and semen quality
animal models
-
is important for
#4
serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) level
increase
semen quality
fertile and infertile men
-
positive association
#5
activated vitamin D
neutral
insulin, aromatase, and osteocalcin
-
-
is a regulator of
#6
vitamin D supplementation
increase
chance of achieving pregnancy
couples in need of assisted reproductive techniques
-
may be beneficial
#7
high serum vitamin D levels
increase
achieving pregnancy
-
-
were found to be associated with a higher chance
#8
Abstract

Vitamin D is a versatile signaling molecule with an established role in the regulation of calcium homeostasis and bone health. In recent years the spectrum of vitamin D target organs has expanded and a reproductive role is supported by the presence of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) and the vitamin D metabolizing enzymes in the gonads, reproductive tract, and human spermatozoa. Interestingly, expression levels of VDR and the vitamin D inactivating enzyme CYP24A1 in human spermatozoa serve as positive predictive markers of semen quality and are higher expressed in spermatozoa from normal than infertile men. VDR mediates a non-genomic increase in intracellular calcium concentration, sperm motility, and induces the acrosome reaction. Furthermore, functional animal model studies have shown that vitamin D is important for sex steroid production, estrogen signaling, and semen quality. Cross-sectional clinical studies have supported the notion of a positive association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) level and semen quality in both fertile and infertile men. However, it remains to be determined whether this association reflects a causal effect. The VDR is ubiquitously expressed and activated vitamin D is a regulator of insulin, aromatase, and osteocalcin. Hence, it is plausible that the influence of vitamin D on gonadal function may be mediated indirectly through other vitamin D regulated endocrine factors. Recent studies have indicated that vitamin D supplementation may be beneficial for couples in need of assisted reproductive techniques as high serum vitamin D levels were found to be associated with a higher chance of achieving pregnancy. Randomized clinical trials are needed to determine whether systemic changes in vitamin D metabolites can influence semen quality, fertility, and sex steroid production in infertile men. In this review known and possible future implications of vitamin D in human male reproduction function will be discussed.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
AnimalsAromataseEstradiolHumansMaleReceptors, CalcitriolReproductionSemen AnalysisSignal TransductionSpermatozoaTesticular NeoplasmsTestisVitamin D
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy75/10
Quality80/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations48
Citations/Year6.0
Relative Citation Ratio2.66
NIH Percentile82.3%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.75
Weight Score1.06
Normalized Score0.66
Related Supplements
Possible influence of vitamin D on male reproduction. | Panacea Index