Vitamin D is positively associated with sperm motility and increases intracellular calcium in human spermatozoa

Martin Blomberg Jensen1 blombergjensen at gmail.com , Poul J. Bjerrum2, Torben E. Jessen2, John E. Nielsen1, Ulla N. Joensen1, Inge A. Olesen1, Jørgen H. Petersen3, Anders Juul1, Steen Dissing4 and Niels Jørgensen1
1 University Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, Section 5064, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
2 Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Holbaek Sygehus, Holbaek, Denmark
3 Department of Biostatistics, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
4 Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Center for Healthy Ageing, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
Received October 6, 2010., Revision received February 7, 2011, Accepted February 9, 2011.

BACKGROUND The vitamin D receptor (VDR) is expressed in human spermatozoa, and VDR-knockout mice and vitamin D (VD) deficiency in rodents results in impaired fertility, low sperm counts and a low number of motile spermatozoa. We investigated the role of activated VD (1,25(OH)2D3) in human spermatozoa and whether VD serum levels are associated with semen quality.

METHODS Cross-sectional association study of semen quality and VD serum level in 300 men from the general population, and in vitro studies on spermatozoa from 40 men to investigate the effects of VD on intracellular calcium, sperm motility and acrosome reaction. All men delivered samples for routine semen analysis and blood for measurements of follicle stimulating hormone, Inhibin B, 25-hydroxy-VD, albumin, alkaline phosphatase, calcium and parathyroid hormone (PTH).

RESULTS In the association study, 44% were VD insufficient (<50 nM), and VD was inversely correlated with PTH (P < 0.0005).
VD serum levels correlated positively with sperm motility and progressive motility (P < 0.05), and men with VD deficiency (<25 nM) had a

• lower proportion of motile (P = 0.027),
• progressive motile (P = 0.035) and
• morphologically normal spermatozoa (P = 0.044)

compared with men with high VD levels (>75 nM). 1,25(OH)2D3 increased intracellular calcium concentration in human spermatozoa through VDR-mediated calcium release from an intracellular calcium storage, increased sperm motility and induced the acrosome reaction in vitro.

CONCLUSIONS 1,25(OH)2D3 increased intracellular calcium concentration, sperm motility and induced the acrosome reaction in mature spermatozoa, and VD serum levels were positively associated with sperm motility, suggesting a role for VD in human sperm function.
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No mention of co-factors in the abstract,

but probably need Calcium and perhaps Magnesium in addition to vitamin D.

Summary

Comparing vitamin D levels < 10 ng to > 30 ng

• more progressive motility
• lower proportion of motile
• lower progressive motile
• lower morphologically normal spermatozoa

See also Vitamin D Life

• Vitamin D: Before, During, and After Pregnancy - see: Help getting pregnant
• Better sperm if have higher level of vitamin D
• Fertility increases when vitamin D is increased
• Hypothesis – Fatigue the day after sex is due to deficiency of vitamin D or Magnesium
• All items in category Fertility and Vitamin D 109 items
• Reproduction function in males improved by vitamin D – review Aug 2012

See also Web

• CLICK HERE for a review in Medical News Today
  Our study is not sufficient and should not be used to change existing treatment practices. However, it uncovers some of the functions of vitamin D and generates new hypotheses. This is an intriguing finding, because it suggests that vitamin D has an effect on sperm movement and function.