Vitamin D and Semen Quality in Urban, Young, Healthy Men (AndroLS)

Abstract

Background and Objective: Our aim was to evaluate whether the blood concentration of 25(OH)D3 is associated with semen quality and sperm morphology parameters in young men. Material and methods: Healthy, urban volunteers aged 20-35 were recruited from universities, clubs and societies in the macroregion of Lower Silesia (Poland). We evaluated medical history, lifestyle factors and environmental threats, collected semen samples, and evaluated vitamin D levels. We acquired data for 177 subjects. Results: The mean concentration of 25(OH)D3was 13.7 ± 8.9 ng/ml. Only a minority of the included subjects (18%) had a serum 25(OH)D3 concentration above the lower limit (20 ng/ml). In total, 39% had severe vitamin D deficiency (<10 ng/ml). None of the studied semen parameters was correlated with the serum concentration of 25(OH)D3; we also found no correlations after adjusting for alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking, carrying a mobile phone in pant pockets, body mass index, caffeine consumption and physical activity. Conclusion: Our data indicate that the serum concentration of 25(OH)D3 was not correlated with semen quality in a healthy, young urban population with prevalent vitamin D insufficiency.