Vitamin D Supplementation Improves Sperm Motility in Infertile Males with Asthenozoospermia: A Prospective Observational Study

Background: Vitamin D deficiency may be associated with endocrine disturbances including male infertility. Vitamin D receptor and metabolizing enzymes are found in the male reproductive system. Expression of Vitamin D inactivating enzyme in spermatozoa may be responsible for sperm motility and vitamin D responsiveness. Vitamin D supplementation may help in improvement of asthenozoospermic infertile males who are vitamin D deficient. Objective: To evaluate the impact of Vitamin D supplementation on sperm motility in vitamin D-deficient asthenozoospermic infertile males. Methods: A total of 110 infertile males who had asthenozoospermia and vitamin Ddeficiency were included in this study. Vitamin D supplementation was given 40000 IU weekly for six weeks and 2000 IU daily for another six weeks and follow up semen analysis was done after 3 months to analyze the changes in sperm motility. Statistical analyses were carried out by paired t test. Result: The mean age was 33.19±5.81 years (range from 25 to 45 years).The mean vitamin D level was 16.19±3.19 ng/ml before and 32.93±7.74 ng/ml after supplementation, the increase being statistically significant (p<0.05). There was significant (p<0.05) increase in sperm motility (%), 23.58±9.51 before treatment versus 35.29±14.76 after treatment. The changes in progressive motility (18.20±8.15 % vs 28.94±13.06 %) and total motile count (17.10±16.78 % vs 28.52±25.89 %) were statistically significant (p<0.05). Conclusion: Supplementation of vitamin D improves sperm motility in infertile males with asthenozoospermia and vitamin Ddeficiency.