Selection of High-Quality Spermatozoa May Be Promoted by Activated Vitamin D in the Woman

Lasse Bøllehuus Hansen, Anders Rehfeld, Rosanna de Neergaard, John Erik Nielsen, Lea Hedegaard Iversen, Ida Marie Boisen, Li Juel Mortensen, Beate Lanske, Kristian Almstrup, Elisabeth Carlsen, Anders Hayden Berg, Niels Jørgensen, Anders Nyboe Andersen, Anders Juul, Martin Blomberg Jensen

17 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Context: The Vitamin D receptor (VDR) and enzymes involved in activation (CYP2R1, CYP27B1) and inactivation (CYP24A1) of Vitamin D are expressed in ovary, testes, and spermatozoa. Objective: Determine responsiveness to 1,25-dihydroxyVitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3] in spermatozoa from normal and infertile men, and identify the site of exposure and how 1,25(OH)2D3 influences sperm function. Design: Spermatozoa expressing VDR, CYP2R1, CYP27B1, and CYP24A1 were analyzed in normal and infertile men. 25-HydroxyVitamin D (25-OHD), 24,25-dihydroxyVitamin D [24,25(OH)2D3], and 1,25(OH)2D3 were measured in serum, seminal fluid, cervical secretions, and ovarian follicular fluid. 1,25(OH)2D3 was tested on human spermatozoa. Setting: Tertiary center for fertility. Participants: Protein expression in spermatozoa and semen quality were assessed in 230 infertile and 114 healthy men. Vitamin D metabolites were measured in fluids from 245 men and 13 women, while 74 oocytes and 17 semen donors were used for sperm-function tests. Main Outcome Measures: VDR and CYP24A1 expressions in spermatozoa, fluid concentrations of 25-OHD, 24,25(OH)2D3, and 1,25(OH)2D3, and 1,25(OH)2D3-induced effects on intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) and sperm-oocyte binding in vitro. Results: VDR and CYP24A1 were expressed in a .2-fold higher fraction of spermatozoa fromnormal than infertile men (P , 0.01). Concentrations of 25-OHD, 24,25(OH)2D, and 1,25(OH)2D3 were undetectable in seminal fluid but high in ovarian follicular fluid. Follicular concentrations of 1,25(OH)2D3 induced a modest increase in [Ca2+]i and sperm-oocyte binding in vitro (P , 0.05). Conclusion: Presence of VDR and CYP24A1 mainly in spermatozoa of higher quality supports that 1,25(OH)2D3 available in the female reproductive tract may promote selection of the best gametes for fertilization.

Original languageEnglish
JournalThe Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism
Volume102
Issue number3
Pages (from-to)950-961
Number of pages12
ISSN0021-972X
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Mar 2017

Keywords

  • Journal Article

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Selection of High-Quality Spermatozoa May Be Promoted by Activated Vitamin D in the Woman'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this