ABSTRACT
Background: The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and male infertility is high in Iran. Objective: The present research aimed to examine the association between serum vitamin D [25(OH)D], parameters of semen including semen volume, sperm count, motility and morphology, and reproductive hormones in infertile Iranian men. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study on 119 infertile men conducted between September 2018 and May 2019. Subjects were divided into 3 groups based on serum vitamin D levels: deficient ( < 10 ng/mL), insufficient (10 ng/mL ≤ 25(OH)D ≤ 30 ng/mL), and sufficient ( > 30 ng/mL). Body mass index and waist circumference were measured. 25(OH)D, testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone and estradiol levels, and semen parameters were assessed. Results: The semen volume, sperm counts, total and progressively motile sperm, normal sperm morphology, testosterone levels, and testosterone/estradiol ratio were substantially higher in the sufficient group compared to the other groups (p < 0.001). Also, in the sufficient group, serum LH (p < 0.001) and estradiol (p < 0.001, p = 0.01) were notably lower and serum sex hormone-binding globulin (p < 0.001) and the testosterone/LH ratio (p < 0.001) were considerably higher compared to the insufficient and deficient groups. Conclusion: Our study showed a positive relationship between serum vitamin D levels, and seminal parameters and sex hormones in Iranian infertile males.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the correlations between body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) and semen parameters (semen volume, sperm count, motility, and morphology) and sex hormones in Iranian men with infertility. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 119 male patients who had lived as a partner in an infertile couple for at least 1 year, after regular unprotected sexual intercourse in their married life were investigated. BMI and WC were assessed, and a morning blood sample was taken assessing serum levels of testosterone (T), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), prolactin (PRL), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol (E2) and leptin. Semen-analysis parameters were also measured. RESULTS: Based on BMI and WC, the sperm count, total motility and progressive sperm were significantly lower in overweight and obese infertile males compared to that in normal weight infertile males and those with WC<102 cm. In addition, the fraction of sperm with abnormal morphology was significantly higher in infertile men with WC>102 cm compared to that in those with WC<102 cm. Moreover serum levels of LH, FSH, and leptin were significantly higher in overweight and obese infertile males compared to that in normal weight infertile males and those with WC<102 cm. Moreover serum level of E2 was significantly higher in obese infertile males compared to the normal weight infertile males and in those with WC>102 cm compared to the WC<102 cm. Furthermore, serum level of T was significantly lower in obese infertile males compared to the overweight infertile males and in those with WC>102 cm compared to the WC<102 cm. The mean of T/E2 ratio also was significantly lower in obese infertile males vs overweight and normal weight infertile males and in those with WC>102 cm compared to the WC<102 cm. CONCLUSION: We concluded that overweight and obesity in infertile men compared to those with normal weight may worsen the infertility situation.
