Treatment With Cholecalciferol Leads to Increase Of Selected Semen Parameters in Young Infertile Males: Results of a 6-month Interventional Study.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine whether vitamin D supplementation could improve semen parameters in infertile men with low vitamin D levels.
Results Summary
The study observed modest improvements in serum vitamin D levels, progressive sperm motility, sperm concentration, and sperm morphology after supplementation, with 26% of participants achieving normal sperm parameters. However, no direct correlation between vitamin D levels and semen parameters was found.
Population
45 infertile men (mean age 36.6 years) with low vitamin D levels, of whom 34 completed the study.
Effective Dosage
2500 IU/day (cholecalciferol)
Duration
6 months
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
vitamin D supplementation (cholecalciferol) 2500 IU/day | increase | serum vitamin D levels | infertile men (vitamin D deficient, otherwise healthy men) | 20 % | increase | #1 |
vitamin D supplementation (cholecalciferol) 2500 IU/day | increase | progressive sperm motility | infertile men (vitamin D deficient, otherwise healthy men) | 7.4 % | increase | #2 |
vitamin D supplementation (cholecalciferol) 2500 IU/day | increase | sperm concentration | infertile men (vitamin D deficient, otherwise healthy men) | 22 % | increase | #3 |
vitamin D supplementation (cholecalciferol) 2500 IU/day | increase | sperm morphology | infertile men (vitamin D deficient, otherwise healthy men) | 0.7 % | increase | #4 |
vitamin D supplementation (cholecalciferol) 2500 IU/day | increase | sperm parameters | infertile men (vitamin D deficient, otherwise healthy men) | 26 % | reached normal sperm parameters | #5 |
vitamin D supplementation (cholecalciferol) 2500 IU/day | increase | partner fertilization | infertile men (vitamin D deficient, otherwise healthy men) | 2 patients | fertilized their partner | #6 |
vitamin D supplementation (cholecalciferol) 2500 IU/day | no change | semen parameters | infertile men (vitamin D deficient, otherwise healthy men) | - | no correlation | #7 |
vitamin D supplementation (cholecalciferol) 2500 IU/day | increase | sperm parameters | infertile men (vitamin D deficient, otherwise healthy men) | - | modulator | #8 |
High incidence of infertility along with low vitamin D levels was detected in otherwise healthy young men. The aim is to observe the effect of vitamin D supplementation on semen parameters as assessed by semen analysis in infertile men. In total, 45 men (mean age 36.6 years) in consecutive order were included, of whom 34 finished the study. Subjects were supplemented by vitamin D (cholecalciferol) 2500 IU/day. Vitamin D levels were assessed by HPLC. Semen analysis was performed strictly following 2010 WHO guidelines. Study periods were baseline and month 6. During follow-up, 20 %, 7.4 %, 22 % and 0.7 % increase in serum vitamin D levels, progressive sperm motility, sperm concentration and sperm morphology, respectively, were observed (all p<0.05). At follow-up end, 9 patients (26 %) reached normal sperm parameters of whom 2 fertilized their partner. There was no correlation between vitamin D and semen parameters observed. This study proves that vitamin D supplementation is possibly a modulator of sperm parameters in vitamin D deficient, otherwise healthy men. Although a direct relationship between vitamin D and sperm parameters was not observed obtaining adequate vitamin D levels could likely play a role in the male factor of infertility.