Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Relationships between vitamin D and male fertility are not fully elucidated. Studies in infertile/subfertile subjects suggest that vitamin D status may be associated with semen parameters (1, 2). Data from healthy men is inconclusive (3, 4). Our purpose was to evaluate the andrological status and a range of biochemical, dietary and lifestyle variables in healthy men aged 18–35, living in the region of Lower Silesia (Poland) (AndroLS).

Material and methods: We invited 5000 subjects to participate in the study. From among 500 respondents, we acquired necessary material (semen and blood) from 177 men. The specimens were collected in autumn and winter. The semen samples were evaluated according to WHO 2010 criteria by a single experienced medical analyst.

Results: Only minority of the studied subjects (18%) had serum 25(OH)₂D₃ concentration above the lower limit (20 ng/ml). 39% had severe vitamin D deficiency (<10 ng/ml). Mean (±S.D.) 25(OH)₂D₃ was 13.7±8.9 ng/ml. Mean (±S.D.) semen volume in the volunteers was: 3.1±1.5 ml, sperm concentration: 60±44×10⁶/ml, total sperm count: 170±137×10⁶/ejaculate, percent of normal forms: 14.7±6.5%. None of the studied semen parameters correlated with serum concentration of 25(OH)₂D₃. We did not observe any correlations after adjustments for: alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking, carrying a mobile phone in pants’ pockets, body mass index, caffeine consumption and physical activity, either.

Conclusions: Our data suggest that serum concentration of 25(OH)₂D₃ cannot indicate semen quality in healthy men.