The Association between Vitamin D Levels and Semen Parameters

Introduction:

Vitamin D deficiency is associated with various health disorders including reproductive disorder, especially in males.

Aim of the study:

The study was aimed to assess the differences of semen parameters in patients with normal levels of vitamin D.

Materials and methods:

A retrospective cohort study: data of 7,118 consecutive semen analyses were collected as part of the infertility evaluation of 3,724 patients between years 2009-2017. Out of which, 146 of analyses had a valid vitamin D test taken within ± 180 days of the semen analysis.

Results:

Semen parameters were compared between patients with vitamin D levels of above and below 50 ng/ml. Comparing between patients with higher levels of vitamin D (>50 ng/ml, n=74) and patients with lower levels of vitamin D (≤50 ng/ml, n=72), no significant results were found regarding mean patient`s age (p=0.289), BMI (p=0.604), FSH (p=0.364) and smoking (p=0.160). Comparison of sperm parameters between the two patient groups has demonstrated significant differences; the group with lower levels of vitamin D had more incidents of asthenozoospermia than the higher levels group (41.9%, 23.6%) respectively; p=0.019). The other parameters were similar. After Standardization for age, BMI and smoking, using a multiple regression model, lower levels of vitamin D were found as an independent risk factor for asthenozoospermia (OR 2.37 , 95% CI 1.10-4.76, P =0.026). However, Oligozoospermia, Hypospermia and Teratozoospermia were equal among the groups.

Conclusion: lower levels of serum vitamin D (≤50 ng/ml) may be positively associated with asthenozoospermia.