Association of Vitamin D and Certain Lifestyle Habits with Sperm Quality

Abstract

The aim of our study was to investigate the individual and combined effects of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol, BMI, smoking, and alcohol consumption on sperm quality. Anthropometric data, blood and ejaculate samples were collected from 60 healthy men. Information about lifestyle habits was obtained by a questionnaire. 25-hydroxycholecalciferol levels were measured by ELISA method. Semen quality was evaluated by sperm analyses. Depending on their 25-hydroxycholecalciferol levels and lifestyle habits, the participants were stratified into different groups. Sperm parameters were compared between the groups. 25-hydroxycholecalciferol levels were highest in normozoospermic group compared with non-normozoospermic and oligoasthenoteratozoospermic groups, respectively. The percentage of normal sperm morphology was higher in the group with vitamin D sufficiency compared with vitamin D insufficiency. Obesity and heavy alcohol consumption affected negatively sperm morphology. Frequency of smoking negatively correlated with semen volume. The combined effect of variables contributed up to 16.5% to sperm quality. The strongest predictor of the normal morphology of the spermatozoa was 25-hydroxicholecalciferol. Men with the highest percentage of normal sperm morphology were those with higher vitamin D blood levels and lower BMI, moderate alcohol consumption and non-smokers.