Vitamin D and infertility

Abstract

Purpose of review Vitamin D deficiency has been implicated as a contributing factor to a spectrum of reproductive health burden, including difficulty conceiving, pathogenesis of gynaecological disorders such as uterine fibroids and endometriosis, to metabolic and endocrine burden of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Recent findings There have been recent publications showing that in infertile women who are supplemented with vitamin D, there are higher pregnancy rates; there are improved ovarian reserve parameters in women with diminished ovarian reserve; curtailed fibroid growth in those with uterine myomas; lessened dysmenorrhea in endometriosis patients; and improved menstrual regularity, lowered testosterone, AMH and insulin levels in women with PCOS. In infertile men, sperm parameters, especially motility, are positively correlated with vitamin D serum levels. Summary Vitamin D status appears to be relevant to reproductive physiology, and to physiological processes underlying common gynaecological disorders as well as for reproductive success.