Association of vitamin D status with serum androgen levels in men.
OBJECTIVE
Studies in rodents indicate a role of vitamin D in male reproduction, but the relationship between vitamin D and androgen levels in men is largely unexplored. We aimed to investigate the association of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels with testosterone, free androgen index (FAI) and SHBG. Moreover, we examined whether androgen levels show a similar seasonal variation to 25(OH)D.


METHODS
In this cross-sectional study, 25(OH)D, testosterone and SHBG levels were assessed by immunoassay in 2299 men who were routinely referred for coronary angiography (1997-2000).


METHODS
Main outcome measures were associations of 25(OH)D levels with testosterone, SHBG and FAI. FAI was calculated as testosterone (nmol/l)/SHBG (nmol/l) x 100.


RESULTS
Men with sufficient 25(OH)D levels (> or =30 microg/l) had significantly higher levels of testosterone and FAI and significantly lower levels of SHBG when compared to 25(OH)D insufficient (20-29.9 microg/l) and 25(OH)D-deficient (<20 microg/l) men (P < 0.05 for all). In linear regression analyses adjusted for possible confounders, we found significant associations of 25(OH)D levels with testosterone, FAI and SHBG levels (P < 0.05 for all). 25(OH)D, testosterone and FAI levels followed a similar seasonal pattern with a nadir in March (12.2 microg/l, 15.9 nmol/l and 40.8, respectively) and peak levels in August (23.4 microg/l, 18.7 nmol/l and 49.7, respectively) (P < 0.05 for all).


CONCLUSIONS
Androgen levels and 25(OH)D levels are associated in men and reveal a concordant seasonal variation. Randomized controlled trials are warranted to evaluate the effect of vitamin D supplementation on androgen levels.
Wehr
E
E
Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Nuclear Medicine, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria.
Pilz
S
S
Boehm
B O
BO
März
W
W
Obermayer-Pietsch
B
B
D000368:Aged; D000728:Androgens / Q000097:blood*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007006:Hypogonadism / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012621:Seasons; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000032:analysis; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000097:blood*; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology
D000728:Androgens; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; D014807:Vitamin D