VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY IN INFERTILE PATIENTS

OBJECTIVES: According to the World Health Organization (WHO) definition, infertility is "the failure of a sexually active, non-contracepting couple to achieve pregnancy in one year" and is a complicated disorder with its medical, psychosocial and economic aspects. There is some proof that vitamin D deficiency has important effects on the male reproductive system. There are numerous animal trials and a limited number of human trials investigating this topic. In our study, the purpose is to consider vitamin D deficiency as a cause of infertility and investigate the relationship of serum vitamin D levels and infertility primarily in our region where exposure to sunlight is relatively low. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 01.10.2014 and 01.05.2015, 103 patients between the ages 20-40 that applied because of infertility were included in the study as the study group, and fertile male patients between the ages 20-40 that applied for reasons other than infertility were included as the control group. A detailed anamnesis was obtained and physical examinations were performed in all patients participating in the study. The ages, duration of marriage, primary diagnoses and presence of other diseases were questioned, semen analyses were performed. The serum testosterone, vitamin D, Ca (Calcium), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels were tested after a 12 hour fasting period between 10:00 and 12:00 in the morning. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the study group and control group in demographic features and serum testosterone levels. Vitamin D deficiency was detected in 89 (86.4%) patients of the study group and 33 (66%) of the control group. A significant difference of vitamin D deficiency rates was detected between the groups (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: It has been shown that vitamin D has important functions in the male reproductive system. In patients with vitamin D deficiency, the semen parameters are affected negatively and vitamin replacement is required.