Effect of serum vitamin D level on endometrial thickness and parameters of follicle growth in infertile women undergoing induction of ovulation

Abstract

In this paper, 153 infertile women undergoing induction of ovulation at an academic tertiary care centre were included in a cross-sectional study. Serum Vitamin D level was measured and the rate of clinical pregnancy (defined as a sonographic presence of FHR of an intrauterine gestational sac) and patient and cycle parameters were determined. The results showed that a correlation exists between endometrial thickness as well as the number of antral follicles and replete level of Vitamin D. Interestingly, the median level of these two parameters was of upmost level in the most replete tertile of serum Vitamin D level. There was no correlation between the serum level of Vitamin D and pregnancy rate. Vitamin D status was associated with endometrial thickness and number of antral follicles, but this study did not find a pivotal effect of serum Vitamin D level on pregnancy rate. Impact statement What is already known on this subject? Literature reviews have indicated that a Vitamin D deficiency is directly responsible for a reduced fertility and reproduction capacity. Women with higher level of Vitamin D in serum and follicular fluid are more likely to become pregnant. What do the results of this study add? This study, assessing the effect of serum level of Vitamin D on endometrial thickness and parameters of follicle growth in infertile women undergoing induction of ovulation showed that a correlation exists between endometrial thickness as well as the number of antral follicles and replete level of Vitamin D. It can be concluded that a replete Vitamin D status is associated with a better state of endometrial thickness and a number of antral follicles, but this study did not find a pivotal effect of serum Vitamin D level on the pregnancy rate. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and further research? If a relationship would be proved between Vitamin D deficiency and endometrial thickness and parameters of follicle growth it is possible that with prescribing supplemental Vitamin D as a relatively inexpensive and safe way along with the other more complex and costly infertility treatments, achieving the pregnancy would be easier.

100 YEARS OF VITAMIN D: Effect of serum vitamin D level before ovarian stimulation on the cumulative live birth rate of women undergoing in vitro fertilization: a retrospective analysis

“…Although two other cohort studies using donor oocytes have not shown the same improved outcomes in women replete in vitamin D (18,42), some studies have found associations between vitamin D and endometrial thickness even in the absence of improved live birth rates (43,44). In our study, there was no significant difference in the endometrial thickness between the vitamin D deficient and non-deficient groups.…”

“…By eliminating the impact of oocytes, studies among donor egg recipients suggest a role on endometrial receptivity being the key biologic mediator of the relation between vitamin D and ART outcomes ( 12 , 18 ). Although two other cohort studies using donor oocytes have not shown the same improved outcomes in women replete in vitamin D ( 18 , 40 ), some studies have found associations between vitamin D and endometrial thickness even in the absence of improved live birth rates ( 41 , 42 ). In our study, there was no significant difference in the endometrial thickness between the vitamin D deficient and non-deficient groups.…”

Vitamin D level affects IVF outcome partially mediated via Th/Tc cell ratio

“…The relationship between VD level and IVF outcome has been investigated, including fertilization, implantation rate, and clinical pregnancy rate. The results of these investigations, however, have been inconsistent.…”

Seasonal dynamic of cholecalciferol (D3) and anti-Muellerian hormone (AMH) with impact on ovarian response and IVF/ICSI

“…A recent study described that D3 deficiency was associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) [ 12 ] and D3 supplementation improved menstrual problems, dysmenorrhea and premenstrual syndrome [ 13 ]. In addition, D3 stimulated estrogene and progesterone production in the human placenta [ 1 , 14 ] and D3 was reported to play a role in regulating the thickness of the endometrium and the number of antral follicles in the ovaries, indicating a beneficial effect of vitamin D on female fertility [ 15 ].…”