Impact of serum and follicular vitamin d levels on assisted reproductive techniques outcome

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To compare vitamin D levels in the serum and follicular fluids of in vitro fertilization (IVF) patients with regard to their pregnancy outcomes.

STUDY DESIGN: This study enrolled 170 female patients (20-44 years old) who underwent intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles between February 2015 and February 2016. The serum vitamin D was isolated by centrifugation. The follicular fluid samples were centrifuged and the supernatant was evaluated after the oocyte puncture procedure.

RESULTS: Fifty-six patients had clinical pregnancies and 106 did not, and we did not find any statistically significant differences between these 2 groups in their basic or cycle characteristics. The basal follicle-stimulating hormone level was significantly lower in the pregnant group (p=0.003). A significant difference was detected in the serum vitamin D, and the follicular vitamin D concentrations were higher in the pregnant group (p=0.01 and p=0.003, respectively). There was a significant linear correlation between the 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels in the serum and follicular fluid (r=0.77, p<0.001).

CONCLUSION: High vitamin D levels can improve the implantation rate and IVF outcome. The serum vitamin D level should be determined prior to IVF/ICSI cycles and supplemented if an insufficiency is established.