Abstract
BackgroundAccumulating evidence suggests that low vitamin D status may affect male gonadal structure. This study was undertaken to reveal whether vitamin D-deficient rats have demonstrable changes in the quantitative histomorphometric properties of the testis.MethodsIn the present investigation, adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups and received: group 1) conventional diet; group 2) vitamin D-deficient diet; group 3) vitamin D-deficient diet and paricalcitol and group 4) conventional diet plus paricalcitol. After 3 months, serum levels of vitamin D metabolites, Ca, P, LH, FSH, testosterone, and epididymal sperm quality were evaluated. Moreover, the morphometric characteristics of testis were assessed via stereological methods.ResultsRats fed a vitamin D-deficient diet (groups 2 and 3) were normocalcemic and had 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 level below 10 ng/mL. A significant reduction in serum testosterone and comparable gonadotropin levels were seen in vitamin D-deficient groups compared to controls. The concentration, morphology, and motility of sperm cells were profoundly disturbed in animals raised on the vitamin D-deficient diet. There was a significant decline in the population of different germ cells, the volume of interstitial tissue and germinal epithelium in group 2 and 3 rats, which were placed on the vitamin D-deficient diet. No appreciable difference in the estimates of the Leydig or Sertoli cell numbers were observed between groups.ConclusionsThe depletion of vitamin D stores and induction of moderate grades of vitamin D deficiency by dietary measures led to remarkable impairment of spermatogenesis and microscopic architecture of rat testis. These findings can be attributed, at least in part, to decreased androgen production.
Highlights
Accumulating evidence suggests that low vitamin D status may affect male gonadal structure
The established presence of vitamin D receptor (VDR) and Vitamin D (VD) metabolizing enzymes in male genital tract [3, 4] prompted several investigators to search for the relation between low vitamin D status as a common problem [5] and various kinds of male reproductive function including androgen production and spermatogenesis [6, 7]
The mean 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25OHD3) concentration decreased to < 10 ng/mL in rats treated with Vitamin D-deficient diet (VDD) and declined even further when a short course of paricalcitol was added to the VDD in group 3 rats at the beginning of the study
Summary
Accumulating evidence suggests that low vitamin D status may affect male gonadal structure. This study was undertaken to reveal whether vitamin D-deficient rats have demonstrable changes in the quantitative histomorphometric properties of the testis. An estimated 15% of couples are affected by infertility globally. Identifiable male-related factors account for approximately 20–30% of infertility cases and contribute to 50% of reproductive problems overall [1]. The established presence of vitamin D receptor (VDR) and VD metabolizing enzymes in male genital tract [3, 4] prompted several investigators to search for the relation between low vitamin D status as a common problem [5] and various kinds of male reproductive function including androgen production and spermatogenesis [6, 7]
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