Possible influence of vitamin D on male reproduction.
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
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 |
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.