25-hydroxyvitamin-d-2 and Infertility--Female

A large number of evidence supports the role of vitamin D insufficiency in both women and men infertility. However, no studies have evaluated the rate of concordance of vitamin D status between the partners. This finding might open new scenarios in the interpretation of the available data linking vitamin D insufficiency and infertility. In the present cross-sectional study, 103 consecutive infertile couples were recruited between April and May 2014. Both partners concomitantly provided a serum sample for the assessment of 25-hydroxy-vitamin D [25-(OH)-D]. Vitamin D insufficiency was defined as serum 25-(OH)-D <20 ng/ml. One hundred-fifty subjects (73 women and 77 males) were 25-(OH)-D insufficient, corresponding to a rate of 73%. Overall, concordance was observed in 73 couples (71%), thus higher than the expected 61% (0.732 + 0.272) based on chance (p = 0.007). The Pearson coefficient of correlation R2 between the partners of the couples was 0.52 (p < 0.001). No statistically significant differences emerged when evaluating the rate of 25-(OH)-D insufficiency according to the causes of infertility. Serum 25-(OH)-D correlates within the partners of infertile couples. Further evidence is warranted to determine the clinical relevance and possible clinical applications of this finding.

Topics: 25-Hydroxyvitamin D 2; Adult; Calcifediol; Cross-Sectional Studies; Family Characteristics; Family Health; Female; Humans; Incidence; Infertility, Female; Infertility, Male; Italy; Male; Nutritional Status; Seasons; Severity of Illness Index; Vitamin D Deficiency; Young Adult

Vitamin D deficiency impairs fertility in animal models, but the role of vitamin D in human fertility or treatment of infertility is less clear.. We examined the association between circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations and the outcome in women undergoing assisted reproduction technologies (ARTs).. We randomly selected 100 women undergoing infertility treatment with ART enrolled in an ongoing prospective cohort study who underwent 168 treatment cycles. Serum 25(OH)D concentrations were measured in samples collected from women between days 3 and 9 of gonadotropin treatment. Generalized linear mixed models were used to evaluate the association of 25(OH)D concentrations with ART outcomes while adjusting for potential confounders and accounting for repeated treatment cycles per woman.. Median (range) serum 25(OH)D concentrations were 86.5 (33.5-155.5) nmol/L. Ninety-one percent of participants consumed multivitamins. Serum 25(OH)D concentrations were positively related to fertilization rate. The adjusted fertilization rate for women in increasing quartiles of serum 25(OH)D were 0.62 (95% CI: 0.51, 0.72), 0.53 (95% CI: 0.43, 0.63), 0.67 (95% CI: 0.56, 0.76), and 0.73 (95% CI: 0.63, 0.80), respectively (P-trend = 0.03). This association persisted when analyses were restricted to women with serum 25(OH)D between 50 and 125 nmol/L when models were further adjusted for season of blood draw and when analyses were restricted to the first treatment cycle. However, 25(OH)D concentrations were unrelated to probability of pregnancy (P-trend = 0.83) or live birth after ART (P-trend = 0.47).. Vitamin D may be associated with higher fertilization rates, but this apparent benefit does not translate into higher probability of pregnancy or live birth. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00011713.

Topics: 25-Hydroxyvitamin D 2; Adult; Boston; Calcifediol; Cohort Studies; Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic; Dietary Supplements; Family Characteristics; Female; Fertilization in Vitro; Humans; Infertility, Female; Infertility, Male; Live Birth; Male; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Rate; Prospective Studies; Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic; Sperm-Ovum Interactions; Vitamin D Deficiency; Vitamins

Vitamin D plays a role in reproductive capacity. Recently, several investigators have demonstrated higher IVF pregnancy rates in vitamin D replete women. The objective of this study was to validate these findings and to further elucidate the role of vitamin D in reproduction among a diverse group of women.. This was a retrospective cohort study in an academic tertiary care center of 188 infertile women undergoing IVF. Serum levels of vitamin D (25OH-D) were measured in previously frozen serum samples. The main outcome measure was clinical pregnancy, defined as sonographic presence of a heartbeat following IVF.. The relationship between vitamin D status and pregnancy rates differed by race (P < 0.01). Among non-Hispanic whites, pregnancy rates declined with progressively lower levels of vitamin D, while in Asians, the reverse was true. Adjusting for age and number and quality of embryos transferred among non-Hispanic whites, the odds of pregnancy were four times higher in vitamin D replete versus deficient patients. Live birth rates mirrored pregnancy rates. Vitamin D status was not associated with ovarian stimulation parameters or with markers of embryo quality.. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with lower pregnancy rates in non-Hispanic whites, but not in Asians, possibly due to their lower IVF success rates. Vitamin D deficiency was not correlated with ovarian stimulation parameters or with markers of embryo quality, suggesting its effect may be mediated through the endometrium.

Topics: 25-Hydroxyvitamin D 2; Academic Medical Centers; Adult; Asian; Calcifediol; Cohort Studies; Embryo Implantation; Endometrium; Female; Fertilization in Vitro; Humans; Infertility, Female; Live Birth; Los Angeles; Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Rate; Prevalence; Retrospective Studies; Severity of Illness Index; Vitamin D Deficiency; White People

To assess the correlation between the levels of vitamin D in follicular fluid and serum, and to determine whether the level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OH-D) in follicular fluid of infertile women undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART) is associated with the outcome.. Eighty-two infertile women undergoing ART at an academic tertiary care centre were recruited for a prospective cohort study. Levels of 25OH-D in follicular fluid and serum were measured. Standardized regimens for pituitary downregulation and controlled ovarian hyperstimulation were employed. Patient and cycle parameters, and clinical pregnancy (defined as evidence of intra-uterine gestation sac plus heart rate on ultrasound) were determined.. A significant correlation was found between the levels of vitamin D in follicular fluid and serum (r=0.767, p=0.001). The overall rates of chemical, clinical and ongoing pregnancy were 35.5% (n=29), 29.3% (n=24) and 23.2% (n=19), respectively. No significant difference was found in these pregnancy rates between the tertiles of 25OH-D level in follicular fluid (p=0.959, 0.995 and 0.604, respectively). The median serum level of vitamin D was 8.13 (range 5.37-13.62)ng/ml in the clinically pregnant group and 8.29 (range 5.93-21.23)ng/ml in the non-pregnant group (p=0.235). Interestingly, the median level of vitamin D in follicular fluid was 9.19 (range 5.25-19.51)ng/ml in the clinically pregnant group and 10.34 (range 5.89-29.69)ng/ml in the non-pregnant group (p=0.433). The fertilization rate decreased significantly and the implantation rate increased (not significantly) with increasing tertiles of 25OH-D level in follicular fluid.. The level of 25OH-D in follicular fluid is reflective of body stores of vitamin D. Most subjects in this study were deficient in vitamin D, but this study found that vitamin D deficiency does not play a pivotal role in the outcome of ART.

Topics: 25-Hydroxyvitamin D 2; Academic Medical Centers; Calcifediol; Cohort Studies; Embryo Implantation; Embryo Transfer; Female; Fetal Development; Follicular Fluid; Humans; Infertility, Female; Iran; Predictive Value of Tests; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Rate; Prevalence; Prospective Studies; Reproductive Techniques, Assisted; Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic; Vitamin D; Vitamin D Deficiency