Vitamin D and female fertility.
OBJECTIVE
Apart from the well known effects of vitamin D on maintaining calcium homeostasis and promoting bone mineralization, there is some evidence suggesting that vitamin D also modulates human reproductive processes. We will review the most interesting and relevant studies on vitamin D and female fertility published over the past year.


RESULTS
In the past year, several observational studies reported a better in-vitro fertilization outcome in women with sufficient vitamin D levels (≥30 ng/ml), which was mainly attributed to vitamin D effects on the endometrium. One randomized controlled trial found an increased endometrial thickness in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) receiving vitamin D during intrauterine insemination cycles. Further, vitamin D supplementation had a beneficial effect on serum lipids in PCOS women. Vitamin D treatment improved endometriosis in a rat model and increased vitamin D intake was related to a decreased risk of incident endometriosis. Vitamin D was also favorably associated with primary dysmenorrhea, uterine leiomyoma, and ovarian reserve in late reproductive aged women.


CONCLUSIONS
In women undergoing in-vitro fertilization, a sufficient vitamin D level (≥30 ng/ml) should be obtained. Vitamin D supplementation might improve metabolic parameters in women with PCOS. A high vitamin D intake might be protective against endometriosis.
aDivision of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria bUniversity Women's Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.
Elisabeth
E
Lerchbaum
Thomas
T
Rabe
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D015519:Bone Density; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004412:Dysmenorrhea / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D007889:Leiomyoma / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000150:complications* / Q000178:diet therapy; D014815:Vitamins / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D014815:Vitamins; D014807:Vitamin D