Vitamin D and male reproduction

Nat Rev Endocrinol. 2014 Mar;10(3):175-86. doi: 10.1038/nrendo.2013.262. Epub 2014 Jan 14.

Abstract

Vitamin D is a versatile signalling molecule with a well-established role in the regulation of calcium homeostasis and bone health. The spectrum of vitamin D target organs has expanded and the reproductive role of vitamin D is highlighted by expression of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) and enzymes that metabolize vitamin D in testis, male reproductive tract and human spermatozoa. The expression levels of VDR and CYP24A1 in human spermatozoa serve as positive predictive markers of semen quality, and VDR mediates a nongenomic increase in intracellular calcium concentration that induces sperm motility. Interestingly, functional animal models show that vitamin D is important for estrogen signalling and sperm motility, while cross-sectional studies support the positive association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level and sperm motility in both fertile and infertile men. Expression of VDR and enzymes that metabolize vitamin D in fetal testis indicates a yet unknown role during development, which may be extrapolated from invasive testicular germ cell tumours where 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D induces a mesodermal differentiation of the pluripotent testicular cancer cells. Taken together, vitamin D signalling has a positive effect on semen quality, increases estrogen responsiveness and differentiates germ cell tumours. Future studies are needed to determine when 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D acts in a paracrine manner and whether systemic changes, which are subject to pharmacological modulation, could influence male reproductive function.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Fertility / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Receptors, Calcitriol / metabolism*
  • Spermatozoa / metabolism*
  • Testis / metabolism*
  • Vitamin D / analogs & derivatives*
  • Vitamin D / metabolism

Substances

  • Receptors, Calcitriol
  • Vitamin D
  • 25-hydroxyvitamin D