Reproductive endocrinology of vitamin D.
Vitamin D is a versatile hormone with several functions beyond its well-established role in maintenance of skeletal health and calcium homeostasis. The effects of vitamin D are mediated by the vitamin D receptor, which is expressed together with the vitamin D metabolizing enzymes in the reproductive tissues. The reproductive organs are therefore responsive to and able to metabolize vitamin D locally. The exact role remains to be clarified but several studies have suggested a link between vitamin D and production/release of reproductive hormones into circulation, which will be the main focus of this review. Current evidence is primarily based on small human association studies and rodent models. This highlights the need for randomized clinical trials, but also functional animal and human in vitro studies, and larger, prospective cohort studies are warranted. Given the high number of men and women suffering from reproductive problems and abnormal endocrinology research addressing the role of vitamin D in reproductive endocrinology may be of clinical importance.
University Department of Growth and Reproduction and International Research and Research Training Centre in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Rigshospitalet, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 9, DK, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.
Mette
M
Lorenzen
University Department of Growth and Reproduction and International Research and Research Training Centre in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Rigshospitalet, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 9, DK, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; Division of Bone and Mineral Research, HSDM/HMS, Harvard University, 188 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Ida Marie
IM
Boisen
University Department of Growth and Reproduction and International Research and Research Training Centre in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Rigshospitalet, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 9, DK, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.
Li Juel
LJ
Mortensen
Division of Bone and Mineral Research, HSDM/HMS, Harvard University, 188 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Beate
B
Lanske
University Department of Growth and Reproduction and International Research and Research Training Centre in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Rigshospitalet, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 9, DK, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.
Anders
A
Juul
University Department of Growth and Reproduction and International Research and Research Training Centre in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Rigshospitalet, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 9, DK, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; Division of Bone and Mineral Research, HSDM/HMS, Harvard University, 188 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA. Electronic address: blombergjensen@gmail.com.
Martin
M
Blomberg Jensen
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000502:physiology*; D005835:Genitalia / Q000378:metabolism*; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D023421:Models, Animal; D051381:Rats; D018167:Receptors, Calcitriol / Q000378:metabolism; D012098:Reproduction / Q000502:physiology*; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000378:metabolism*
D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D018167:Receptors, Calcitriol; C579457:VDR protein, human; D014807:Vitamin D
Gonadotropins; Ovary; Reproduction; Sex steroids; Testis; Vitamin D