Reproductive Ability Research Articles

Meta-analysis of the effects of microplastic on fish: Insights into growth, survival, reproduction, oxidative stress, and gut microbiota diversity

Aquatic ecosystems are primary repositories for microplastics (MPs), which pose significant risks to aquatic organisms. This study addresses the gap in understanding the effects of MPs pollution by analyzing 3,757 biological endpoints from 85 laboratory studies. Overall, our results indicate that MPs exposure significantly inhibits fish growth, survival, and reproductive ability, and increases oxidative damage, specifically, MPs exposure leads to elevated levels of malondialdehyde. However, MPs do not have a significant impact on the diversity of fish gut microbiota. Subgroup and correlation analyses indicate that the extent of various toxic effects is influenced by multiple factors, including MPs’ type, exposure pathway, size, concentration, as well as the aquatic environment or life stage of the fish. In addition, the regression analysis revealed a relationship between the magnitude of toxic effects and the size, concentration, or duration of MPs exposure. This study provides useful information for understanding the potential impacts of MPs on aquatic organisms and offers new insights for the protection and management of aquatic ecosystems.

Effect of viruses infection symptoms on pollen viability in different horticultural crop species

A preliminary in vitro investigation was carried out to assess the impact of virus infection symptoms on in vitro pollen germination in different horticultural crop species. Pollen from healthy and virus-infected papaya (papaya ring spot virus—PRSV), gherkin (Ilar virus), okra (Ilar virus), bottle gourd (mosaic virus), chow-chow (mosaic virus), okra (yellow vein mosaic virus -YVMV), watermelon (mosaic), pumpkin (mosaic), watermelon (bud necrosis) and bitter gourd (yellow mosaic) flowers was collected, and pollen was extracted and to assessed viability in vitro via the hanging drop method. After incubation, the viability profiles of the pollen were computed. There was a significant reduction in the pollen germination profiles of pollen from infected plants compared to those from healthy plants. The impact of virus infection on pollen production, germination and viability is discussed in light of the overall reproductive ability of virus-affected plants.

52 Differences in body composition measurements for developing Angus heifers

Abstract The profitability of beef cow-calf operations relies on the reproductive ability of females to calve at 2 yr of age and provide a calf each subsequent year for her lifetime. The management of replacement heifers could affect her ability to conceive early, calve, and rebreed. Common management practices use heifer body weight (BW) (and body condition score (BCS) as indicators of puberty onset but do not indicate body composition and fat deposition. The objective of this study was to use ultrasound measurements of carcass traits to compare the effect of different diet management practices on muscle development and fat deposition of post-weaning heifers. The heifers placed on a higher energy diet are expected to have greater mean carcass trait measurements than the lower energy diet heifers. A total of 124 purebred Angus heifers from the Iowa State University McNay Memorial Research and Demonstration Farm were used for this study. Two diets were administered in this study. One group of heifers (G1; n = 61) was developed on a low-energy roughage diet to reach a target BW of 55% of mature BW at the time of breeding. The second group (G2; n = 63) was developed on a grain diet to reach the target BW of 65% mature BW at breeding. Body weight and ultrasound measurements for backfat (BFAT), ribeye area (REA), and intramuscular fat (IMF) were collected over three time points (0-d, 55-d, and 123-d) during the study to quantify the development of body composition characteristics. The initial measurements were collected 1 wk post-weaning. Significant mean differences between the two groups were observed for BW, BFAT, and REA at 55-d (P = 0.027, P = 0.008, and P < 0.0001, respectively), and 123-d (P < 0.001). The mean differences for BW, BFAT, and REA at 123-d between G1 and G2 were 30.98 kg, 0.10 cm, and 7.81 cm2, respectively No significant difference was found between the groups for IMF measurements at 55-d (P = 0.927) or 123-d (P = 0.169). This suggests IMF is not significantly influenced by diet during the early, post-weaning heifer developmental stage. Although further research is needed, the results from this study suggest the development of weight, BFAT, and REA in early post-weaning beef heifers is influenced by the energy concentration of the diet.

Diversity and Life History Traits of Native Weed Communities in Agricultural Areas: A Case Study in Eastern China.

Native weeds have a long history of adaptation to local environments. Understanding the relationship between the occurrence of native weeds and their life history traits is crucial for effective weed management and risk assessment of plant invasions. In this study, we surveyed native weed species and their dominance across 666 field sites in agricultural areas of Yangzhou City, China, and each site was 13.3 hectares in area. A total of 287 native weed species were recorded, referring to 63 families, among which 45% were 50-100 cm in plant height and 47% were of an erect life type. In terms of the proportions out of the total native weed occurrence dominance, Poaceae, Compositae, and Fabaceae weeds accounted for 30%, 13%, and 11%; liana and perennials both occupied 32%; and aquatic, hygrophyte, sun plant, and shade plant all occupied < 10%. Additionally, the proportions increased with increasing seed production per plant and with increasing weediness reported worldwide. Native weed groups holding moderate vegetative reproduction abilities, moderate seed sizes, or herbicide resistance showed higher proportions. Moreover, most of the native weeds surveyed were not succulent or thorny plants and did not hold thorns, awns, obvious hairs, or mucilage on their fruits.

Negative effects of ethanol on ovarian reserve and endometrium thickness: An animal study.

This study aimed to assess the effect of ethanol on the ovarian reserve and endometrium of rats by evaluating anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels and follicle counts. We performed histological follicle counting and AMH measurements to evaluate ovarian reserve. The study included 16 Wistar albino rats evenly distributed into two groups of eight rats each. The rats in the intervention group (group 1) were administered ethanol at a daily dose of 2.5 g/kg via oral gastric lavage for 30 days, whereas the control group (group 2) received water as a placebo via oral gastric lavage for the same period. At the end of 30 days, the animals were sacrificed, and 2 mL blood samples were collected for AMH measurements. Laparotomy was performed to remove the ovaries and uterus. Despite the lack of a meaningful distinction in the quantity of primordial and primary follicles between the two groups, a substantial disparity was observed in the overall follicle count and AMH levels. Specifically, the intervention group exhibited significantly lower total follicle counts and AMH levels than the control group (p≤0.001). The researchers also found that the endometrium of ethanol-treated rats was significantly thinner than that of control rats (p≤0.001). This study concluded that ethanol consumption can negatively affect reproductive ability and the success of in vitro fertilization treatment by reducing ovarian reserve and thinning the endometrium.

Invasive Studies of Dandelion and other Alien Species Based on Predictive Models

Taraxacum officinale is a plant commonly known as the dandelion. It is a perennial herb native to Eurasia but has been introduced to other parts of the world and is now considered a weed in many areas. Dandelions are used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments and are also used as a food source in some cultures. However, some people regard it as an invasive species, which is a species that is harmful to the biological chain. Some suggest a reason: the dandelion's reproductive rate and ability to survive are so strong that it can easily encroach on the territory of other species, causing their numbers to decline.To protect the whole ecosystem, we need to protect other species from being invaded by dandelions. Therefore, the first problem analyzed is the spread of dandelions, and the main idea for the first problem is the Sprawl prediction-based model. The influence of different environmental factors on the spread of dandelions was considered to predict the number of dandelions after a certain time.The second model is the Logistic model, which considers the competition relationship and also uses MATLAB to draw the image. Showing the relationship between the number of dandelions and that of another species. With some knowledge of the spread and a detailed analysis of the danger of dandelions to other species, we hypothesized two main species and counted their numbers to determine the impact of dandelions. Finally, our group inquired about the concept of invasive species to further analyze whether dandelions fit.

Photoperiod-dependent effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles on the growth and reproduction of Daphnia pulex

The discharge of metal nanoparticles into the water inevitably poses a threat to aquatic organisms and the balance of the aquatic ecosystem. Photoperiod is one of the most important ecological factors for the development of cladocerans. In addition, different light conditions can also affect the toxicity of metal nanoparticles. In this study, we studied the effects of four photoperiods (8L/16D, 10L/14D, 14L/10D, and 16L/8D) combined with three concentrations of ZnO NPs (0 mg L−1, 0.05 mg L−1, and 0.10 mg L−1) on the growth and reproduction of Daphnia pulex. With the increase of photoperiod, the maternal body size and growth rate increased first and then decreased; the first time to reproduction was advanced, and broods and the total offspring also increased. Under the influence of ZnO NPs, growth rate and reproductive capacity were inhibited. The photoperiod 8L/16D and 16L/8D interacted with ZnO NPs on the growth of D. pulex, which significantly decreased the growth rate. Besides, the interaction between photoperiod 8L/16D and ZnO NPs decreased the reproduction ability of D. pulex. These results suggest that the effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles on the growth and reproduction of D. pulex is photoperiod dependent, which is useful for assessing the risk of pollutants to cladoceras under different light conditions.

Context-dependent impact of the dietary non-essential amino acid tyrosine on Drosophila physiology and longevity.

Dietary protein intake modulates growth, reproduction, and longevity by stimulating amino acid (AA)-sensing pathways. Essential AAs are often considered as limiting nutrients during protein scarcity, and the role of dietary non-essential AAs (NEAAs) is less explored. Although tyrosine has been reported to be crucial for sensing protein restriction in Drosophila larvae, its effect on adult physiology and longevity remains unclear. Here, using a synthetic diet, we perform a systematic investigation of the effect of single NEAA deprivation on nutrient-sensing pathways, reproductive ability, starvation resistance, feeding behavior, and life span in adult female flies. Specifically, dietary tyrosine deprivation decreases internal tyrosine levels and fecundity, influences AA-sensing machineries, and extends life span. These nutritional responses are not observed under higher total AA intake or in infertile female flies, suggesting a context-dependent influence of dietary tyrosine. Our findings highlight the unique role of tyrosine as a potentially limiting nutrient, underscoring its value for dietary interventions aimed at enhancing health span.

Influence of immunogenetic factors on the reproductive ability and productive longevity of Red-and-White cows

Influence of immunogenetic factors on the reproductive ability and productive longevity of Red-and-White cows

Clinicopathological Aspects of Dilation and Curettage (D&C) Biopsies Taken from Patients Living at High Altitude in Taif, KSA, with a Special Emphasis on Chronic Endometritis.

Chronic endometritis (CE) is a persistent inflammation of the uterine lining. Although it has a minimal clinical presentation, CE adversely affects the reproductive ability of women. The aims of this study were to detect pathological endometrial patterns in D&C biopsies and to evaluate chronic endometritis in patients living in a high-altitude area (1800 m above sea level) in order to determine the clinical pathological features and prevalence. A cross-sectional study conducted at King Faisal Maternity Hospital included 100 samples of D&C biopsies from women complaining of various gynecological symptoms not due to gestational causes. The biopsies underwent tissue processing, H&E staining, and CD138 detection. Blood samples were taken for serological detection of infectious diseases, complete blood count, and chemical parameters. The mean age of women in the study with CE was 48.5 ± 8.5 years, and that of those without CE was 46.9 ± 9.7 years. The most common complaints were abnormal uterine bleeding, accounting for 83%. CE was present in 8% of cases, and there was a nonsignificant difference in hematological parameters between women with CE and those with other pathological diagnoses. There were also nonsignificant differences in chemical parameters, except for FSH and LH levels, which showed a significant difference, with p-values of 0.05 and 0.02, respectively. It can be concluded that the most common gynecological complaint of women in this study was abnormal uterine bleeding. The most commonly diagnosed pathological endometrial disorder in D&C biopsies was disordered proliferative endometrium, followed by endometrial polyps and endometrial hyperplasia. All of these are usually associated with hormonal disturbance, which appeared to be very common in the women in this study. The prevalence of chronic endometritis detected in our study was 8%, which is relatively high.

Autophagy and Female Fertility: Mechanisms, Clinical Implications, and Emerging Therapies.

Autophagy, an evolutionarily conserved cellular mechanism essential for maintaining internal stability, plays a crucial function in female reproductive ability. In this review, we discuss the complex interplay between autophagy and several facets of female reproductive health, encompassing pregnancy, ovarian functions, gynecologic malignancies, endometriosis, and infertility. Existing research emphasizes the crucial significance of autophagy in embryo implantation, specifically in the endometrium, highlighting its necessity in ensuring proper fetal development. Although some knowledge has been gained, there is still a lack of research on the specific molecular impacts of autophagy on the quality of oocytes, the growth of follicles, and general reproductive health. Autophagy plays a role in the maturation, quality, and development of oocytes. It is also involved in reproductive aging, contributing to reductions in reproductive function that occur with age. This review explores the physiological functions of autophagy in the female reproductive system, its participation in reproductive toxicity, and its important connections with the endometrium and embryo. In addition, this study investigates the possibility of emerging treatment approaches that aim to modify autophagy, using both natural substances and synthetic molecules, to improve female fertility and reproductive outcomes. Additionally, this review intends to inspire future exploration into the intricate role of autophagy in female reproductive health by reviewing recent studies and pinpointing areas where current knowledge is lacking. Subsequent investigations should prioritize the conversion of these discoveries into practical uses in the medical field, which could potentially result in groundbreaking therapies for infertility and other difficulties related to reproduction. Therefore, gaining a comprehensive understanding of the many effects of autophagy on female fertility would not only further the field of reproductive biology but also open new possibilities for diagnostic and treatment methods.

Cannabidiol exposure during embryonic period caused serious malformation in embryos and inhibited the development of reproductive system in adult zebrafish

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychoactive component of cannabis with potential applications in biomedicine, food, and cosmetics due to its analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and anticonvulsant properties. However, increasing reports of adverse CBD exposure events underscore the necessity of evaluating its toxicity. In this study, we investigated the developmental toxicity of CBD in zebrafish during the embryonic (0–4 dpf, days post fertilization) and early larval stages (5–7 dpf). The median lethal concentration of CBD in embryos/larvae is 793.28 μg/L. CBD exhibited concentration-dependent manner (ranging from 250 to 1500 μg/L) in inducing serious malformed somatotypes, like shorter body length, pericardial cysts, vitelline cysts, spinal curvature, and smaller eyes. However, no singular deformity predominates. The 5-month-old zebrafish treated with 100 and 200 μg/L of CBD during the embryonic and early larval stages produced fewer offspring with higher natural mortality and malformation rate. Gonadal growth and gamete development were inhibited. Transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses conducted with 400 μg/L CBD on embryos/larvae from 0 to 5 dpf suggested that CBD promoted the formation and transportation of extracellular matrix components on 1 dpf, promoting abnormal cell division and migration, probably resulting in random malformed somatotypes. It inhibited optical vesicle development and photoreceptors formation on 2 and 3 dpf, resulting in damaged sight and smaller eye size. CBD also induced an integrated stress response on 4 and 5 dpf, disrupting redox, protein, and cholesterol homeostasis, contributing to cellular damage, physiological dysfunction, embryonic death, and inhibited reproductive system and ability in adult zebrafish. At the tested concentrations, CBD exhibited developmental toxicity, lethal toxicity, and reproductive inhibition in zebrafish. These findings demonstrate that CBD threatens the model aquatic animal, highlighting the need for additional toxicological evaluations of CBD before its inclusion in dietary supplements, edible food, and other products.

Abortion, Reproductive Justice, and Justice-Based Sexual Ethics in the Episcopal Church

This article offers a critical theo-ethical reflection on abortion from a reproductive justice (RJ) perspective. Focusing on the socio-political structure that shapes abortion discourses and legislation and affects women’s agency over their reproductive ability, I complicate the ways of thinking about abortion. The abortion debate reveals what we, as the church, value, how we embody God’s love and justice, and how we should live. In search of the answers to these questions, the article engages in women of color’s theory and activism for RJ through the theological, the political, and the sexual. Finally, the article suggests that the Episcopal/Anglican church reconsider abortion as a social justice issue and meditate on its commitment to God’s justice in light of RJ.

Advances in Nanomedicine and Biomaterials for Endometrial Regeneration: A Comprehensive Review.

The endometrium is an extremely important component of the uterus and is crucial for individual health and human reproduction. However, traditional methods still struggle to ideally repair the structure and function of damaged endometrium and restore fertility. Therefore, seeking and developing innovative technologies and materials has the potential to repair and regenerate damaged or diseased endometrium. The emergence and functionalization of various nanomedicine and biomaterials, as well as the proposal and development of regenerative medicine and tissue engineering techniques, have brought great hope for solving these problems. In this review, we will summarize various nanomedicine, biomaterials, and innovative technologies that contribute to endometrial regeneration, including nanoscale exosomes, nanomaterials, stem cell-based materials, naturally sourced biomaterials, chemically synthesized biomaterials, approaches and methods for functionalizing biomaterials, as well as the application of revolutionary new technologies such as organoids, organ-on-chips, artificial intelligence, etc. The diverse design and modification of new biomaterials endow them with new functionalities, such as microstructure or nanostructure, mechanical properties, biological functions, and cellular microenvironment regulation. It will provide new options for the regeneration of endometrium, bring new hope for the reconstruction and recovery of patients' reproductive abilities.

Folliculectomy for the treatment of pre-ovulatory follicular stasis in three illegally captured West Coast green geckos (Naultinus tuberculatus) to enable wild rehabilitation

ABSTRACT Case history In 2023, the New Zealand Department of Conservation seized 63 endemic reptiles that were being held without a permit. This group included three adult female West Coast green geckos (Naultinus tuberculatus) that had been illegally removed from the wild 2 years earlier. They had been held in an outdoor enclosure with a pair of goldstripe geckos (Woodworthia chrysosiretica). Clinical findings On physical examination, all three geckos had at least two soft palpable masses in the coelom. Repeated ultrasonographic examination over several months confirmed the diagnosis of pre-ovulatory follicular stasis (POFS) in each gecko, and in subsequent weeks, more ovarian follicles developed in each animal. Laboratory findings All three geckos were negative on culture of cloacal swabs for Salmonella spp., and negative on PCR assay of a cloacal flush for Cryptosporidium spp., despite other reptiles in the seized group showing positive results for multiple Salmonella spp., and one other gecko being positive for Cryptosporidium parvum, subtype IIcA5G3. Treatment and outcome For all three geckos, para-midline ventral coeliotomy was performed under general anaesthesia, and folliculectomy of degenerate ovarian follicles was performed. Post-operative complications were seen in all three animals, which developed suture-line infections following disruption of normal skin shedding and entrapment of shed keratin in the surgical sites. A second surgery was undertaken to remove impacted keratin and caseous inflammatory material from the surgical wounds of all three animals and buried sutures were placed to close the coelomic wounds. The geckos were treated with 20 mg/kg ceftazidime IM every second day for 2 weeks post-operatively. Subsequent ecdysis (skin shedding) occurred without complication and the geckos were released back to the wild 10 months after admission. Clinical relevance The recommended treatment for POFS in reptiles is ovariectomy, which is not appropriate for wild animals. The use of folliculectomy to resolve preovulatory follicular stasis should be considered for animals where retaining reproductive ability is essential.

Mechanisms underlying reproductive responses of Japanese quails to heat stress conditions.

Exposure to heat stress can cause a significant increase in the death rate and disease susceptibility of poultry birds, ultimately impacting the profitability of the poultry industry. Despite being a more economical choice, Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica) are not immune to the harmful effects of heat stress. Quails may experience negative effects on their reproductive performance due to excessive reactive molecules caused by heat stress. However, they have developed various mechanisms to maintain their reproductive abilities in such conditions. The neuroendocrine system in birds plays a vital role in regulating their reproductive responses to thermal stress, and it is also connected to other environmental factors such as photoperiod that can impact their reproductive performance. Hormones are crucial in the complex interactions necessary for sexual maturation and reproductive responses to heat stress in Japanese quails living in stressful thermal conditions.

Transgenerational reproductive toxicity induced by carboxyl and amino charged microplastics at environmental concentrations in Caenorhabditis elegans: Involvement of histone methylation

Microplastics, recognized as emerging contaminants, are commonly observed to be charged in the environment, potentially exerting toxic effects on various organisms. However, the transgenerational reproductive toxicity and underlying mechanisms of polystyrene (PS), particularly carboxyl-modified PS (PS-COOH) and amino-modified PS (PS-NH2), remain largely unexplored. In this study, the parental generation (P0) of Caenorhabditis elegans was subjected to environmental concentrations (0.1–100 μg/L) of PS, PS-COOH, and PS-NH2, with subsequent generations (F1–F4) cultured under normal conditions. Exposure to PS-NH2 at concentrations of 10–100 μg/L exhibited more pronounced reproductive toxicity compared to PS or PS-COOH, resulting in decreased brood size, egg ejection rate, number of fertilized eggs, and cell corpses per gonad. Similarly, maternal exposure to 100 μg/L of PS-NH2 induced more severe transgenerational reproductive effects in C. elegans. Significant increases in H3 on lysine 4 dimethylation (H3K4me2) and H3 on lysine 9 trimethylation (H3K9me3) levels were observed in the subsequent generation, concurrent with the transgenerational upregulation of set-30 and met-2 following parental exposure to PS, PS-COOH, and PS-NH2. Correlation analyses revealed significant associations between the expression of these genes with the reproductive ability. Molecular docking studies suggested that PS-NH2 exhibited higher affinity for SET-30 and MET-2. Further analysis demonstrated that transgenerational effects on reproduction were absent in set-30(gk315) and met-2(n4256) mutants, highlighting the pivotal role of set-30 and met-2 in mediating the transgenerational effect. This study provides novel insights into the environmental risks associated with negatively and positively charged microplastics.

Determination of the rat estrous cycle vased on EfficientNet.

In the field of biomedical research, rats are widely used as experimental animals due to their short gestation period and strong reproductive ability. Accurate monitoring of the estrous cycle is crucial for the success of experiments. Traditional methods are time-consuming and rely on the subjective judgment of professionals, which limits the efficiency and accuracy of experiments. This study proposes an EfficientNet model to automate the recognition of the estrous cycle of female rats using deep learning techniques. The model optimizes performance through systematic scaling of the network depth, width, and image resolution. A large dataset of physiological data from female rats was used for training and validation. The improved EfficientNet model effectively recognized different stages of the estrous cycle. The model demonstrated high-precision feature capture and significantly improved recognition accuracy compared to conventional methods. The proposed technique enhances experimental efficiency and reduces human error in recognizing the estrous cycle. This study highlights the potential of deep learning to optimize data processing and achieve high-precision recognition in biomedical research. Future work should focus on further validation with larger datasets and integration into experimental workflows.

Anti-obesity effects of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum BHP03 on high-fat diet mice and its regulatory function on intestinal microbiota

Obesity is defined as abnormal or excessive accumulation of body fat, which always causes serious harm to body health. In this work, an anti-obesity strain, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum BHP03 (L. plantarum), was explored. This strain showed good reproductive and acid production abilities. And its simulated intestinal fluid tolerance was better than that of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG（LGG). The in vitro lipid-lowering indicators (inhibition rate of pancreatic lipase, bile-acid salt binding capacity) of L. plantarum BHP03 were at the same level as LGG, but L. plantarum BHP03 exhibited better ability to clear cholesterol. Further, L. plantarum BHP03 was used to intervene high-fat diet mice by oral administration. The results showed that high (109 CFU/day) and low (108 CFU/day) doses of L. plantarum BHP03 could alleviate excessive weight gain caused by high-fat diet and improve the symptoms of hepatorenal enlargement and liver fatty lesions. In addition, high dose L. plantarum BHP03 significantly reduced the content of the serum total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in mice. Moreover, high dose L. plantarum BHP03 enhanced the species richness of intestinal flora in mice fed with high-fat diet, decreasing the abundance of harmful bacteria such as Staphylococcus and increasing the abundance of beneficial bacteria such as Dubosiella, Akkermansia, Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus. Therefore, it could be concluded that high dose L. plantarum BHP03 was more effective in preventing obesity and balancing gut microbiota. These findings may provide a theoretical basis for the application of lactobacilli to develop functional foods related to anti-obesity.

The Impact of Vitamin D Deficiency on Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Risk: A Retrospective Study.

Background Nowadays, there has been growing attention to vitamin D deficiency's impact on women of reproductive age, both during pregnancy and the preconception period.Because of its possible impact on female reproductive ability, vitamin D deficiency may have multiple implications for maternal and fetal health. Currently, the correlation between vitamin D deficiency and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) isgaining attention, mainly due to contradictory findings in the literature. Methods We conducted a single-center, retrospective study involving data from 106 pregnant women to establish a possible link between vitamin D deficiency and GDM risk. We analyzed variables such as vitamin D status, the occurrence of gestational diabetes, and body mass index to identify significant statistical correlations among them. Results Within our study group, the average vitamin D level was 19.5 ± 7.8 ng/mL. Regarding vitamin D status, 59 (55.7%) pregnant women had vitamin D deficiency, 36 (34%) had vitamin D insufficiency, and 11 (10.4%) had optimal vitamin D levels. GDM was diagnosed in 18 cases, representing 17%. After the statistical analysis, we found a positive correlation between gestational diabetes and vitamin D deficiency (chi-square = 4.472, p = 0.049).However, we did not find a significant correlation between gestational diabetes and optimal vitamin D status. Conclusions Pregnant women with vitamin D deficiency are at an increased risk of developing GDM and may benefit from vitamin D supplementation. We believe that further research is necessary to have a comprehensive understanding of vitamin D's effects on pregnancy.