Comparison of Serum Vitamin D between Fertile and Infertile Men in A Vitamin D Deficient Endemic Area: A Case-Control Study

Abstract

Introduction

The aim of this study was to compare serum vitamin D between fertile and infertile men in endemic area of vitamin D deficiency. The role of vitamin D in all aspects of human health has attracted a great interest. Vitamin D effect on female fertility and to a lesser extent in men is under investigation. Previous researchers have found meaningful positive relationship between semen quality and serum vitamin D level. However, in endemic area of vitamin D deficiency, this effect is under question.

Methods

Serum 25-OH-Vitamin D was compared between infertile male patients and fertile control group.

Infertile cases were from patients of our infertility clinic and fertile controls from healthy cases with at least one child below 5 years of age.

SPSS version 19 was used for statistical analysis (Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and Mann-Whitney test).

Results

Between 116 fertile and 114 infertile men who entered the study, serum level of 20 was a critical point, which patients with upper serum level had significantly better spermogram. In addition to it, even in vitamin D deficient patients and controls, fertile controls had higher serum vitamin D.

Conclusions

There is a positive correlation between serum level of vitamin D and spermogram quality, even in vitamin D deficient areas. Fertile people have a higher level of serum vitamin D in comparison to infertile patient in aforementioned areas.