biostudies-literatureBanks NEunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human DevelopmentNICHD NIH HHSNCATS NIH HHSNational Institutes of HealthMerck973-979https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC8561776biostudies-literatureUnknown116(4)<h4>Objective</h4>To determine the association between vitamin D levels in the male partner and fertility outcomes in couples with mild male factor infertility.<h4>Design</h4>Secondary analysis of a randomized, controlled trial.<h4>Setting</h4>Nine fertility centers in the United States.<h4>Patient(s)</h4>Men (n = 154) with sperm concentration between 5 and 15 million/mL, motility ≤40%, or normal morphology ≤4% were eligible. Female partners were ovulatory, ≤40 years old, and had documented tubal patency.<h4>Intervention(s)</h4>Men provided semen and blood at baseline for semen analysis and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels. They were randomly assigned to receive a vitamin formulation including vitamin D 2,000 IU daily or placebo for up to 6 months. Couples attempted to conceive naturally during the first 3 months and with clomiphene citrate with intrauterine insemination of the female partner in months 4 through 6.<h4>Main outcome measure(s)</h4>Primary: sperm concentration, motility, morphology, and DNA fragmentation at baseline. Secondary: cumulative pregnancy, miscarriage, and live birth rates.<h4>Result(s)</h4>Semen parameters and sperm DNA fragmentation were not statistically significantly different between men with vitamin D deficiency and men with 25(OH)D levels ≥20 ng/mL. In addition, clinical pregnancy and live birth rates were similar. Male 25(OH)D level <20 ng/mL was associated with a higher rate of pregnancy loss (adjusted odds ratio 9.0; 95% confidence interval 1.3 to 61.3).<h4>Conclusion(s)</h4>Vitamin D deficiency in the male partner did not significantly impact semen parameters or treatment outcomes. Further study is warranted to better characterize the rate of miscarriage in couples with male vitamin D deficiency.Fertility and sterilityMale vitamin D status and male factor infertility.PMC8561776U10HD077844UL1TR001863U10 HD039005U10 HD038992U10HD055925U10 HD055925U10 HD077844UL1 TR001863R25 HD075737U10HD039005U10 HD077841U10 HD027049U10 HD077680Smith JFBanks NSantoro NZhang HCoward RMKrawetz SASun FSteiner AZTrussell JCMasson PfalseMale vitamin D status and male factor infertility.<h4>Objective</h4>To determine the association between vitamin D levels in the male partner and fertility outcomes in couples with mild male factor infertility.<h4>Design</h4>Secondary analysis of a randomized, controlled trial.<h4>Setting</h4>Nine fertility centers in the United States.<h4>Patient(s)</h4>Men (n = 154) with sperm concentration between 5 and 15 million/mL, motility ≤40%, or normal morphology ≤4% were eligible. Female partners were ovulatory, ≤40 years old, and had documented tubal patency.<h4>Intervention(s)</h4>Men provided semen and blood at baseline for semen analysis and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels. They were randomly assigned to receive a vitamin formulation including vitamin D 2,000 IU daily or placebo for up to 6 months. Couples attempted to conceive naturally during the first 3 months and with clomiphene citrate with intrauterine insemination of the female partner in months 4 through 6.<h4>Main outcome measure(s)</h4>Primary: sperm concentration, motility, morphology, and DNA fragmentation at baseline. Secondary: cumulative pregnancy, miscarriage, and live birth rates.<h4>Result(s)</h4>Semen parameters and sperm DNA fragmentation were not statistically significantly different between men with vitamin D deficiency and men with 25(OH)D levels ≥20 ng/mL. In addition, clinical pregnancy and live birth rates were similar. Male 25(OH)D level <20 ng/mL was associated with a higher rate of pregnancy loss (adjusted odds ratio 9.0; 95% confidence interval 1.3 to 61.3).<h4>Conclusion(s)</h4>Vitamin D deficiency in the male partner did not significantly impact semen parameters or treatment outcomes. Further study is warranted to better characterize the rate of miscarriage in couples with male vitamin D deficiency.2021-01-01T00:00:00Z2021 Oct2026-05-31T15:56:47.597Z2025-04-04T12:45:29.959ZS-EPMC85617763428993510.1016/j.fertnstert.2021.06.035