Serum Vitamin D Levels in Fertile and Infertile Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Abstract

Introduction In polycystic ovary syndrome, serum vitamin D levels are known to correlate with metabolic conditions such as diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease. However, there are not enough studies showing such a relationship with female fertility. We aimed to compare serum vitamin D levels in fertile and infertile women with polycystic ovary syndrome to evaluate whether vitamin D may play a role in the pathogenesis of fertility problems in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Materials and Methods 274 infertile and 111 fertile women with polycystic ovary syndrome were included in this retrospective study. Infertile and fertile groups were matched by age, body mass index and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance. Anthropometric, clinical and laboratory characteristics of the women were recorded. Serum 25(OH)D₃ levels were used to assess serum vitamin D levels.

Results No significant differences were detected between groups in terms of anthropometric, clinical and laboratory features except for serum 25(OH)D₃ levels and the incidence of vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D levels were significantly lower and vitamin D deficiency was more common in the infertile group compared to the fertile group. When the groups were stratified into obese/non-obese or insulin resistance positive/negative, infertile obese and infertile insulin resistance-positive women had the lowest serum 25(OH)D₃ levels.

Conclusion Serum vitamin D levels are lower in infertile women with polycystic ovary syndrome compared to fertile women. When insulin resistance or obesity was present, vitamin D levels were reduced further. Thus, in polycystic ovary syndrome, lower vitamin D levels may play a role in the pathogenesis of fertility problems.

Zusammenfassung

Einleitung Bekanntlich sind Vitamin-D-Spiegel in Frauen mit polyzystischem Ovarsyndrom mit Stoffwechselkrankheiten wie Diabetes mellitus, metabolisches Syndrom und Herz-Kreislauf-Erkrankungen korreliert. Es gibt aber bislang zu wenig Studien über den Zusammenhang zwischen Vitamin D und weiblicher Fertilität. Ziel unserer Studie war es, den Vitamin-D-Spiegel bei fruchtbaren und unfruchtbaren Frauen mit polyzystischem Ovarsyndrom zu messen, um herauszufinden, ob Vitamin D eine Rolle bei der Pathogenese von Infertilität in Frauen mit polyzystischem Ovarsyndrom spielt.

Material und Methoden Insgesamt wurden 274 infertile und 111 fertile Frauen mit polyzystischem Ovarsyndrom in dieser retrospektiven Studie eingeschlossen. Die infertilen und fertilen Gruppen waren hinsichtlich Alter, Body-Mass-Index und HOMA-Index (Insulinresistenz) vergleichbar. Anthropometrische, klinische und Labormerkmale der Frauen wurden erfasst. Der 25(OH)D₃-Spiegel wurde zur Beurteilung des Vitamin-D-Spiegels verwendet.

Ergebnisse Mit Ausnahme des 25(OH)D₃-Spiegels und Vitamin-D-Mangels gab es keine signifikanten Unterschiede zwischen den Gruppen in Bezug auf anthropometrische, klinische und Labormerkmale. Verglichen mit der fertilen Gruppe war der Vitamin-D-Spiegel signifikant niedriger in der infertilen Gruppe, und Vitamin-D-Mangel trat in dieser Gruppe häufiger auf. Es wurde eine weitere Unterteilung der Gruppen in übergewichtige/nicht übergewichtige und insulinresistente/nicht insulinresistente Frauen vorgenommen. Unfruchtbare übergewichtige Frauen und unfruchtbare insulinresistente Frauen hatten die niedrigsten 25(OH)D₃-Werte.

Schlussfolgerung Verglichen mit fruchtbaren Frauen waren die Vitamin-D-Werte von infertilen Frauen mit polyzystischem Ovarsyndrom niedriger. Kam noch Insulinresistenz oder Fettleibigkeit dazu, waren die Vitamin-D-Werte noch niedriger. Bei Frauen mit polyzystischem Ovarsyndrom spielen niedrigere Vitamin-D-Werte möglicherweise eine Rolle bei der Pathogenese von Fertilitätsproblemen.

Key words

hormones - infertility - ovary

Schlüsselwörter

Hormone - Infertilität - Ovar

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