The association of vitamin D, semen parameters, and reproductive hormones with male infertility: A cross-sectional study

 Background: The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and male infertility is high in Iran. Objective: The present research aimed to examine the association between serum vitamin D [۲۵(OH)D], parameters of semen including semen volume, sperm count, motility and morphology, and reproductive hormones in infertile Iranian men. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study on ۱۱۹ infertile men conducted between September ۲۰۱۸ and May ۲۰۱۹. Subjects were divided into ۳ groups based on serum vitamin D levels: deficient (< ۱۰ ng/mL), insufficient (۱۰ ng/mL ≤ ۲۵(OH)D ≤ ۳۰ ng/mL), and sufficient (> ۳۰ ng/mL). Body mass index and waist circumference were measured. ۲۵(OH)D, testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone and estradiol levels, and semen parameters were assessed. Results: The semen volume, sperm counts, total and progressively motile sperm, normal sperm morphology, testosterone levels, and testosterone/estradiol ratio were substantially higher in the sufficient group compared to the other groups (p < ۰.۰۰۱). Also, in the sufficient group, serum LH (p < ۰.۰۰۱) and estradiol (p < ۰.۰۰۱, p = ۰.۰۱) were notably lower and serum sex hormone-binding globulin (p < ۰.۰۰۱) and the testosterone/LH ratio (p < ۰.۰۰۱) were considerably higher compared to the insufficient and deficient groups. Conclusion: Our study showed a positive relationship between serum vitamin D levels, and seminal parameters and sex hormones in Iranian infertile males.

Keywords:

Infertility , Male , Vitamin D , Semen analysis , Gonadal hormones , Pituitary hormones. , ناباروری , مردان , ویتامین D , آنالیز مایع منی , هورمون­های غدد جنسی , هورمون­های هیپوفیز.