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Review
. 2022 Aug 10;14(16):3278.
doi: 10.3390/nu14163278.

Vitamin D and Male Reproduction: Updated Evidence Based on Literature Review

Gloria Calagna  1 , Valeria Catinella  2 , Salvatore Polito  1 , Antonio Schiattarella  3 , Pasquale De Franciscis  3 , Francesco D'Antonio  4 , Giuseppe Calì  2 , Antonino Perino  5 , Gaspare Cucinella  1
Affiliations
Review

Vitamin D and Male Reproduction: Updated Evidence Based on Literature Review

Gloria Calagna et al. Nutrients. .

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to clarify the vitamin D (VD) effect on male infertility. Our research was conducted using the following electronic databases: MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Cochrane Library. Selection criteria included all published randomized controlled trials and non-randomized studies, focusing on vitamin D and male reproductive function. The results showed that the effects of VD on male reproduction has been investigated in three different topics: the molecular mechanism underlying VD effects on semen quality (SQ), the relationship between VD levels and SQ, and the effect of VD supplementation on SQ. Results supported the hypothesis of a relevant interrelation between concentrations of male VD and semen parameters, with particular reference to sperm motility; on the contrary, evidence on the effect of VD on male sex steroid hormone levels was inconclusive. The results of this review hold up the thesis that VD plays a role in male reproduction. Most of the data highlighted a positive effect on semen quality, particularly in sperm motility, both in fertile and infertile men. Additional dedicated studies are required to elucidate the still controversial aspects of this topic.

Keywords: infertility; male reproduction; semen quality; sex hormone production; supplementation; vitamin D.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flow chart of the included studies.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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