Follicular and serum levels of vitamin D in women with unexplained infertility and their relationship with in vitro fertilization outcome: an observational pilot study

Introduction: Follicular and serum vitamin D are considered potential markers of the oocyte and embryos' quality and predictors of in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes. Methods: This retrospective cross- sectional study correlated vitamin D in sera and follicular fluid of women with unexplained infertility mutually and with IVF outcomes. ELISA was used for measuring vitamin D. Results: The results show positive correlation only between follicular and serum levels of vitamin D (Rho = 0.615, p = 0.025), and between follicular levels of vitamin D and the percentage of embryo fragmentation (Rho = 0.544; p = 0.036). Conclusions: The results suggest that serum and follicular fluid vitamin D measurements could be complementary tools to the routine assessment of embryos.

Automated summary

The study found a positive correlation between follicular and serum levels of vitamin D, as well as a positive correlation between follicular levels of vitamin D and the percentage of embryo fragmentation. This suggests that measuring vitamin D in serum and follicular fluid could be useful in complementing routine embryo assessments.