Predictive value of the level of vitamin D in follicular fluid on the outcome of assisted reproductive technology

• Published in: European journal of obstetrics & gynecology and reproductive biology 2011-11, Vol.159 (1), p.132-137
• Main Authors: Aleyasin, Ashraf, Hosseini, Marzieh Agha, Mahdavi, Atossa, Safdarian, Leila, Fallahi, Parvin, Mohajeri, Mohammad Reza, Abbasi, Mohammad, Esfahani, Fatemeh
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 25-Hydroxyvitamin D 2 - blood; 25-Hydroxyvitamin D 2 - metabolism; Academic Medical Centers; Biological and medical sciences; Birth control; Calcifediol - blood; Calcifediol - metabolism; Cohort Studies; Embryo Implantation; Embryo Transfer; Female; Fetal Development; Follicular fluid; Follicular Fluid - metabolism; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Humans; Infertility; Infertility, Female - blood; Infertility, Female - complications; Infertility, Female - metabolism; Infertility, Female - therapy; Intracytoplasmic sperm injection; Iran - epidemiology; Medical sciences; Obstetrics and Gynecology; Predictive Value of Tests; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Rate; Prevalence; Prospective Studies; Reproductive Techniques, Assisted; Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic; Sterility. Assisted procreation; Vitamin D; Vitamin D - blood; Vitamin D - metabolism; Vitamin D Deficiency - blood; Vitamin D Deficiency - complications; Vitamin D Deficiency - epidemiology; Vitamin D Deficiency - metabolism
• ISSN: 0301-2115; 1872-7654
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2011.07.006

Abstract Objective To assess the correlation between the levels of vitamin D in follicular fluid and serum, and to determine whether the level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OH-D) in follicular fluid of infertile women undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART) is associated with the outcome. Study design Eighty-two infertile women undergoing ART at an academic tertiary care centre were recruited for a prospective cohort study. Levels of 25OH-D in follicular fluid and serum were measured. Standardized regimens for pituitary downregulation and controlled ovarian hyperstimulation were employed. Patient and cycle parameters, and clinical pregnancy (defined as evidence of intra-uterine gestation sac plus heart rate on ultrasound) were determined. Results A significant correlation was found between the levels of vitamin D in follicular fluid and serum ( r = 0.767, p = 0.001). The overall rates of chemical, clinical and ongoing pregnancy were 35.5% ( n = 29), 29.3% ( n = 24) and 23.2% ( n = 19), respectively. No significant difference was found in these pregnancy rates between the tertiles of 25OH-D level in follicular fluid ( p = 0.959, 0.995 and 0.604, respectively). The median serum level of vitamin D was 8.13 (range 5.37–13.62) ng/ml in the clinically pregnant group and 8.29 (range 5.93–21.23) ng/ml in the non-pregnant group ( p = 0.235). Interestingly, the median level of vitamin D in follicular fluid was 9.19 (range 5.25–19.51) ng/ml in the clinically pregnant group and 10.34 (range 5.89–29.69) ng/ml in the non-pregnant group ( p = 0.433). The fertilization rate decreased significantly and the implantation rate increased (not significantly) with increasing tertiles of 25OH-D level in follicular fluid. Conclusions The level of 25OH-D in follicular fluid is reflective of body stores of vitamin D. Most subjects in this study were deficient in vitamin D, but this study found that vitamin D deficiency does not play a pivotal role in the outcome of ART.