Assessment of the effect of serum and follicular fluid vitamin D and glucose on assisted reproductive technique outcome: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND

Vitamin D and glucose play an important role in the female reproductive system.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of serum and follicular fluid vitamin D on assisted reproductive technique (ART) outcomes.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

102 infertile women were enrolled in the study. All cases received the routine in vitro fertilization protocol. On the oocyte retrieval day, a sample of their peripheral blood and follicular fluid was obtained to determine the level of vitamin D and glucose. We also evaluated ART outcomes including oocytes, 2 pronucleus and embryo number, implantation, chemical and clinical pregnancy, and abortion rate. Finally, the effect of serum and follicular fluid vitamin D and glucose on the ART outcomes was assessed.

RESULTS

There was no difference in the characteristics, serum vitamin D, follicular fluid vitamin D, fasting blood sugar (FBS), or follicular fluid glucose between the women with vs. without a positive clinical pregnancy. There was no significant difference between the ART outcomes based on vitamin D level. The mean follicular fluid glucose levels in women who were deficient, insufficient and sufficient in vitamin D were 65.20 ± 14.65, 63.47 ± 14.90 and 55.97 ± 15.64, respectively. Follicular fluid glucose was lower in women with sufficient vitamin D levels and this difference was statistically significant (p = 0.01). There was no relationship between the three follicular fluid vitamin D levels and ART outcomes. In women with normal FBS levels, the level of follicular fluid vitamin D was significantly lower than in the women with pre-diabetic FBS status (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The present study showed that serum vitamin D level, follicular fluid vitamin D level, FBS, and follicular fluid sugar were not predictive parameters for ART outcomes.