Vitamin D and Male Fertility

Vitamin D plays many roles in the human body, and some theorize that a deficiency may influence infertility in men.

By Natalist advisors Dr. Andrew Sun and Lauren Manaker, RD

Vitamin D is a hot topic these days. It is a fat-soluble vitamin that gets converted into a hormone in the body. It is found in some foods and can also be converted through skin from UV light from the sun.

Vitamin D and male fertility

Vitamin D plays many roles in the human body, and some theorize that a deficiency may influence infertility. In general, the recommended dietary allowance of vitamin D for adult men under the age of 70 years old is 600 IU/day, although some argue it should be higher due to the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in the United States. Some say that more than 40 percent of the U.S. population is vitamin D deficient. One contributing factor to this issue is the modern lifestyle most of us live, with limited skin exposure to sunlight and, thus, limited exposure to the UV light.

The role of vitamin D in hormone production and sperm creation has been investigated in both animals and humans. Experimental studies support a beneficial effect of vitamin D on male fertility by playing a role in hormone production and by improving sperm parameters.

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