Serum Vitamin D Deficiency and Male Infertility: A Relationship?

TL;DR

This study found no link between vitamin D levels and male infertility or semen quality in Nigerian men.

Contribution

The study provides new evidence on vitamin D and male infertility in a Nigerian population.

Findings

No participants had serum vitamin D deficiency.

No association was found between vitamin D levels and male infertility.

No link was found between vitamin D levels and semen quality parameters.

Abstract

Background

Male infertility is one of the major reproductive health concerns, causing a lot of distress for couples globally. Others have looked into its connection to vitamin D deficiency, but their findings are conflicting.

Aim

This study aimed to determine the relationship between male infertility and vitamin D deficiency among Nigerians.

Method

This analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 132 men. A purposive sampling technique was employed to recruit 66 participants in the study (men with infertility) and control groups (men with proven fertility). Descriptive statistics were conducted, while the association between vitamin D level and sperm parameters was assessed using bivariate and regression modeling. A two-tailed test of the hypothesis was assumed, and the level of statistical significance was set at a P-value < 0.05.

Results

None of the participants had a serum vitamin D deficiency. However, the overall serum vitamin D insufficiency rate was 15%. The median vitamin D level for the total study population (both fertile and infertile) was 37.52 ng/ml (IQR: 32.1 - 51.69). This study demonstrated no association between serum vitamin D levels and male infertility, as well as no association between serum vitamin D levels and the quality of semen parameters.

Conclusion

There was no significant association between vitamin D levels, male infertility, and seminal fluid parameters. However, larger multi-center studies are recommended to provide further insights into this conclusion.

Figures