Value of follicular fluid vitamin D in predicting the pregnancy rate in an IVF program

Abstract

Purpose This study investigated whether there is a correlation between levels of 25OH-D in the follicular fluid and the serum of infertile women and the results of IVF and rates of pregnancy. The association between the levels of 25OH-D in the follicular fluid and the vitamin D repletion status was also assessed. Methods Two hundred and twenty-one infertile women participated in an IVF cycle from 2010 to 2011 in a prospective observational study. Serum and follicular fluid were collected for vitamin D analysis. Deficient, insufficient, and sufficient levels of vitamin D were defined as 10, 10-29, and 30-100 ng/ml, respectively. IVF cycle parameters and clinical pregnancy rates were also compared with the vitamin D level. Results The levels of vitamin D deficiency, insufficiency, and sufficiency were 22.6, 70.1, and 7.2 %, respectively. The fertilization rates associated with these three levels of vitamin D were 43.17, 53.37, and 58.77 %, respectively, (P = 0.054), and the implantation rates were 17.33, 15.26, and 18.75 %, respectively, (P = 0.579). No significant correlation was seen between the pregnancy rate and the serum vitamin D level (P = 0.094) or the follicular vitamin D level (P = 0.170). The serum and follicular fluid vitamin D levels showed a significant correlation (P = 0.000). Conclusion Although vitamin D is an important hormone in the human body, no correlation was found between the serum and follicular vitamin D level and the pregnancy rate in the IVF cycle.

Vitamin D and aspects of female fertility

“…117 However, the above observation is in contrast to the detrimental effects of vitamin D deficiency on the endometrium reported in previous studies. [110][111][112]116 Additionally, two Iranian studies 118,119 failed to demonstrate any significant association between serum or FF vitamin D levels and implantation or pregnancy rates. However, the high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in the examined population limits the strength of their research.…”

Vitamin D and Female Reproduction

“…In a prospective cohort study, vitamin D (25OH-D) serum and follicular fluid levels were analyzed in 82 infertile women undergoing ART. They found that fertilization rate decreased significantly and the implantation rate increased (not significantly) with increasing levels of 25OH-D [89]. Using the same approach, Farzadi et al reported a correlation between follicular fluid 25(OH) D concentration and assisted reproductive outcomes in an Iranian population [90].…”

Assessment of the Possible Role of Vitamin D Defificiency with the Relevant Mechanisms in Gynecological Disorders

“…Ek olarak, hamilelik oranı ile serum ve foliküler sıvı vitamin D düzeyleri (p=0,094, p=0,170, sırasıyla) arasında bir ilişki kurulamamış, bu durum yeterli vitamin D düzeylerine sahip kadınların ancak %7,2 gibi düşük bir oranda olmasıyla açık-lanmıştır. 113 Estes ve ark. (2010) ise İVF'de başarı sağlayanların foliküler sıvılarında DBP ekspresyonunun düşük olduğunu göstermişlerdir.…”