How vitamin D level influences in vitro fertilization outcomes: results of a systematic review and meta-analysis

Serum vitamin D levels do not seem to be associated with reproductive outcomes in patients undergoing in vitro fertilization.

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Fertility and Sterility
Editorial Office, American Society for Reproductive Medicine
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VOLUME 114, ISSUE 5, P1014-1025

Authors:

Mauro Cozzolino, M.D., Andrea Busnelli, M.D., Livia Pellegrini, Ph.D., Emma Riviello, M.D., Amerigo Vitagliano, M.D.

Abstract:

Objective

To investigate the impact of serum vitamin D level on in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes.


Design

Systematic review and meta-analysis.


Setting

Not applicable.


Patients

Infertile women undergoing conventional IVF or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).


Interventions

Systematic search of PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Global Health, The Cochrane Library, Health Technology Assessment Database, and Web of Science from inception until July 2019 with cross-checking of references from relevant articles in English. Vitamin D levels were categorized into three groups: deficient (<20 ng/mL), insufficient (20−30 ng/mL), and replete (>30 ng/mL). Before starting the data extraction, we registered the review protocol in PROSPERO (CRD42019134258).


Main Outcome Measures

We consider clinical pregnancy rate (CPR), live birth rate (LBR), and/or ongoing pregnancy rate (OPR) as primary outcomes. Likewise, the miscarriage rate was considered as a secondary outcome.


Results

Primary analysis showed that women with a replete level of vitamin D had higher CPR and LBR/OPR compared to those with a deficient of insufficient level of vitamin D. However, sensitivity analysis led to non-significant differences between the comparators for CPR (odds ratio 0.71, 95% confidence interval 0.47−1.08, I2 = 61%) and OPR/LBR (odds ratio 0.78, 95% confidence interval 0.56−1.08], I2 = 61%). Also, for miscarriage a statistically different rate was not reached.


Conclusion

Serum vitamin D levels do not influence IVF outcomes in terms of CPR, LBR/OPR, and miscarriage rate. Future large cohort studies are warranted to determine whether the threshold of vitamin D affects reproductive outcomes. Currently, there is a lack of consensus between the appropriate vitamin D threshold to predict reproductive outcomes compared to the one established for bone health.


PROSPERO Number

CRD42019134258.
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Fertility and Sterility

Editorial Office, American Society for Reproductive Medicine

Fertility and Sterility® is an international journal for obstetricians, gynecologists, reproductive endocrinologists, urologists, basic scientists and others who treat and investigate problems of infertility and human reproductive disorders. The journal publishes juried original scientific articles in clinical and laboratory research relevant to reproductive endocrinology, urology, andrology, physiology, immunology, genetics, contraception, and menopause. Fertility and Sterility® encourages and supports meaningful basic and clinical research, and facilitates and promotes excellence in professional education, in the field of reproductive medicine.

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