title: High Prevalence of Vitamin D Deficiency in Infertile Women Referring for Assisted Reproduction.
abstract: A comprehensive analysis of the vitamin D status of infertile women is the first step in understanding hypovitaminosis impact on reproductive potential. We sought to determine vitamin D profiles of women attending an infertility center and to investigate non-dietary determinants of vitamin D status in this population. In this cross-sectional analysis, a cohort of 1072 women (mean age ± standard deviation 36.3 ± 4.4 years) attending an academic infertility center was used to examine serum 25-hydroxy-vitamin D (25(OH)D) levels in relation to demographic characteristics, seasons and general health risk factors. Both unadjusted and adjusted levels of serum 25(OH)D were examined. Median 25(OH)D concentration was below 30 ng/mL for 89% of the entire year. Over the whole year, 6.5% of patients had 25(OH)D levels ≤10 ng/mL, 40.1% ≤20 ng/mL, and 77.4% ≤30 ng/mL. Global solar radiation was weakly correlated with 25(OH)D levels. At multivariable analysis, 25(OH)D levels were inversely associated with BMI; conversely, 25(OH)D levels were positively associated with height and endometriosis history. Serum 25(OH)D levels are highly deficient in women seeking medical help for couple's infertility. Levels are significantly associated with body composition, seasonal modifications and causes of infertility. Importantly, this deficiency status may last during pregnancy with more severe consequences.
authors.affiliation: Division of Genetics and Cell Biology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano 20132, Italy. pagliardini.luca@hsr.it.
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pagliardini
authors.affiliation: Division of Genetics and Cell Biology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano 20132, Italy. vigano.paola@hsr.it.
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vigano'
authors.affiliation: Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano 20132, Italy. molgora.michela@hsr.it.
authors.forename: Michela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Molgora
authors.affiliation: Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano 20132, Italy. persico.paola@hsr.it.
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Persico
authors.affiliation: Division of Experimental Oncology, URI-Urological Research Institute, University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milano 20132, Italy. salonia.andrea@hsr.it.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Salonia
authors.affiliation: Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano 20132, Italy. vailati.simonahelda@hsr.it.
authors.forename: Simona Helda
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Vailati
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Neonatology, Fondazione Cà Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milano 20122, Italy. alessio.paffoni@policlinico.mi.it.
authors.forename: Alessio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Paffoni
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Neonatology, Fondazione Cà Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milano 20122, Italy. dadosomigliana@yahoo.it.
authors.forename: Edgardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Somigliana
authors.affiliation: Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano 20132, Italy. papaleo.enrico@hsr.it.
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Papaleo
authors.affiliation: Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano 20132, Italy. candiani.massimo@hsr.it.
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Candiani
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female; D008875:Middle Aged; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted; D013997:Time Factors; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000175:diagnosis*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: 25(OH)D; assisted reproduction; endometriosis; infertility; vitamin D