Can vitamin D boost fertility?

Given the high prevalence of infertility as well as vitamin D insufficiency in otherwise healthy young women and men and the possible link between vitamin D and human reproduction, is being researched by scientists.

Vitamin D has been well-known for its function in maintaining calcium and phosphorus homeostasis and promoting strong bones and teeth. There is some evidence that in addition to sex steroid hormones, the classic regulators of human reproduction, vitamin D also modulates reproductive processes in women and men.  It is well known that Vitamin D peaks in the summer months and drops in the winter months in the Uk and other northern countries that have fewer hours of day light during the winter months.  In these northern countries the conception rate is decreased during the dark winter months; it peaks during the summer leading to a maximum birth rate in the spring.

In women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), low 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels are associated with obesity, metabolic, and endocrine disturbances.   Polycystic ovary syndrome is a common cause of infertility.  Researchers concluded that vitamin D supplementation might improve menstrual frequency and metabolic disturbances in those women.

The same researchers suggested vitamin D might influence steroidogenesis of sex hormones (estradiol and progesterone) in healthy women and high 25(OH)D levels might be associated with endometriosis. In men, vitamin D is positively associated with semen quality and androgen status. Moreover, vitamin D supplementation might increase testosterone levels.

It should be noted that Vitamin D supplementation can’t treat infertility alone, but is a safe and cheap treatment, which has been shown to boost fertility in men and women. In addition there is limited evidence that vitamin D exerts some effects on the outcome of IVF treatment.

Finally vitamin D deficiency among pregnant women has been associated with elevated risk for other pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia and bacterial vaginosis.

References

Rojansky N,Brzezinski A & Schenker JG. Seasonality in human reproduction: an update.Human Reproduction 1992 7 735–745.

E Lerchbaum & B Obermayer-Pietshc, Mechanisms in Enocrinology: Vitamin D and Fertility: A systematic review. Eur J Endocrinol May 1, 2012 166765-778

Bodnar LM, Catov JM, Simhan HN, Holick MF, Powers RW & Roberts JM Maternal vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of preeclampsia. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism2007 92 3517–3522.

Bodnar LM, Krohn MA & Simhan HN . Maternal vitamin D deficiency is associated with bacterial vaginosis in the first trimester of pregnancy. Journal of Nutrition 2009 139 1157–1161

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