Cited by 129Sperm and Testicular FunctionVitamin D Research StudiesMale Reproductive Health Studies

Effects of vitamin D supplementation on semen quality, reproductive hormones, and live birth rate: a randomized clinical trial

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Blomberg Jensen, Martin, Lawaetz, Jacob Gerner, Petersen, Jørgen Holm, Juul, Anders, Jørgensen, Niels·2018·The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism

Abstract

Context: Results of animal models and cross-sectional cohort studies have suggested a beneficial role for vitamin D in male reproduction. Objective: Determine the effect of vitamin D and calcium supplementation on semen quality in infertile men with serum 25-hydroxyvitamin-D (25OHD) levels ≤50 nmol/L. Design: A single-center, triple-blinded, randomized clinical trial. Participants: A total of 1427 infertile men were screened to include 330; 1002 men did not meet inclusion criteria and 95 did not wish to participate. Intervention: The active group received cholecalciferol 300,000 IU initially, then 1400 IU cholecalciferol and 500 mg of calcium daily for 150 days; the other group received placebo. Results: Serum concentrations of 25OHD and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 were significantly higher in men in the treatment group compared with the placebo group. Vitamin D supplementation was not associated with changes in semen parameters, although spontaneous pregnancies tended to be higher in couples in which the man was in the treatment group [7.3% vs 2.4%, Δ5.0% (-0.6%; 10.5%)]. Vitamin D treatment in a subgroup of oligozoospermic men increased the chance for a live birth compared with placebo [35.6% vs 18.3%, Δ17.3% (1.6%; 32.9%)]. Moreover, serum inhibin B levels were higher in men deficient in vitamin D who were randomly assigned to receive high-dose vitamin D [193 pg/mL vs 143 pg/mL, Δ49 pg/mL (8; 91 pg/mL)]; however, the increase in sperm concentration was not significantly higher than in the placebo group (P = 0.07). Conclusion: High-dose vitamin D supplementation did not improve semen quality in vitamin D-insufficient infertile men. The positive impact of vitamin D supplementation on live birth rate and serum inhibin B in oligozoospermic and vitamin D-deficient men may be of clinical importance and warrant verification by others.

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  • Similar to the MOXI trial, the high quality trials included in the Cochrane review did not find a benefit to antioxidants on live birth.

    “Similar to the MOXI trial, the high quality trials included in the Cochrane review did not find a benefit to antioxidants on live birth. (25, 26)”

    From The effect of antioxidants on male factor infertility: the Males, Antioxidants, and Infertility (MOXI) randomized clinical trial (2020) · cites this paper as [25]

    The Secondary end points and Discussion sections (pages unavailable) report no overall live-birth benefit from vitamin D plus calcium in this trial. Our copy does not address whether high-quality trials in a Cochrane review found no live-birth benefit from antioxidants; searches for the Cochrane review, antioxidants, and the MOXI trial found no supporting passage. (LLM, conf=0.76)

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Cited by

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Authors
Blomberg Jensen, M., Lawaetz, J. G., Petersen, J. H., Juul, A., & Jørgensen, N.
Affiliations
  • Department of Growth and Reproduction, International Research and Research Training Centre in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
  • University of Copenhagen (DK)
Venue
The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism
Published
2017-11-03
Volume
103
Issue
3
Pages
870-881
ISSN
  • 0021-972X (ISSN-L)
  • 1945-7197
OpenAlex
W2766252936
Cited by
129
References
35
Citations by year
2026: 10 · 2025: 15 · 2024: 15 · 2023: 17 · 2022: 17 · 2021: 16 · 2020: 17 · 2019: 15 · 2018: 7
FWCI
12.42
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Research at the University of Copenhagen (University of Copenhagen) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • Hørslev-Fonden
  • Novo Nordisk
  • Novo Nordisk Fonden (NNF17OC0026096)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Sperm and Testicular Function
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pathology and Forensic Medicine › Vitamin D Research Studies
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Male Reproductive Health Studies
Keywords
vitamin D supplementation, vitamin D3, calcium supplementation, male infertility, semen quality, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, inhibin B, live birth rate, oligozoospermia, vitamin D deficiency, male reproductive hormones
MeSH terms
Adult, Calcium, Cholecalciferol, Double-Blind Method, Drug Therapy, Combination, Female, Humans, Infertility, Male, Male, Middle Aged, Oligospermia, Pregnancy, Pregnancy Outcome, Sperm Count, Sperm Motility, Vitamin D, Vitamin D Deficiency, Pregnancy Rate, Dietary Supplements, Semen Analysis

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