Vitamin D is necessary for reproductive functions of the male rat.
The effect of vitamin D deficiency on the fertility and reproductive capacity of male rats was investigated. Male weanling rats were fed vitamin D-deficient or vitamin D-replete diets until maturity, and mated to age-matched, vitamin D-replete females. Vitamin D-deficient males were capable of reproduction. However, successful matings, i.e., presence of sperm in the vaginal tract of the female, by vitamin D-deficient males were reduced by 45% when compared to matings by vitamin D-replete males. Fertility (successful pregnancies in sperm-positive females) was reduced by 73% in litters from vitamin D-deficient male inseminations when compared to litters from females inseminated by vitamin D-replete males. These results demonstrate that vitamin D and its metabolites are necessary for normal reproductive functions in the male rat.
Kwiecinski
G G
GG
Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences 53706.
Petrie
G I
GI
DeLuca
H F
HF
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology*; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects*; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000503:physiopathology
D014807:Vitamin D