Vitamin D deficiency and low ionized calcium are linked with semen quality and sex steroid levels in infertile men.

STUDY QUESTION: Are low vitamin D levels linked with semen quality and sex steroids in infertile men? SUMMARY ANSWER: Infertile men with vitamin D deficiency had lower sperm motility, total numbers of motile sperm, Inhibin B, sex-hormone-binding-globulin (SHBG) and testosterone/estradiol ratio, but higher levels of free sex steroids, than infertile men with normal vitamin D levels. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Low vitamin D levels have been associated with decreased sperm motility in healthy men, but a relationship between vitamin D and calcium with semen quality and especially sex steroids has not been sufficiently described in infertile men. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: This study comprises baseline characteristics of 1427 infertile men screened from 2011 to 2014 for inclusion in a randomized clinical trial, the Copenhagen-Bone-Gonadal Study. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: In total 1427 infertile men, consecutively referred to our tertiary andrological centre for fertility workup, underwent a physical examination and had semen quality assessed based on two samples and blood analysed for serum testosterone, SHBG, estradiol, inhibin B, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD), ionized calcium (Ca(2+)) and karyotype. There were 179 men excluded due to serious comorbidities or anabolic steroid usage, leaving 1248 patients for analyses. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: Men with 25-OHD >75 nmol/l had higher sperm motility and 66 and 111% higher total numbers of motile spermatozoa after 45 and 262 min, respectively, than men with 25-OHD <25 nmol/l (all P < 0.05). SHBG levels and testosterone/estradiol ratios were 15 and 14% lower, respectively, while free testosterone and estradiol ratios were 6 and 13% higher, respectively, in men with 25-OHD <25 nmol/l (all P < 0.05). Men with lower Ca(2+) levels had higher progressive sperm motility and inhibin B/FSH ratio but lower testosterone/estradiol ratio (all P < 0.05). LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: All outcomes presented are predefined end-points but inferral of causality is compromised by the descriptive study design. It remains to be shown whether the links between vitamin D, calcium, semen quality and sex steroids in infertile men are causal. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: The associations between vitamin D deficiency and low calcium with semen quality and sex steroids support the existence of a cross-link between regulators of calcium homeostasis and gonadal function in infertile men. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS: This study was supported by the Danish Agency for Science, Technology and Innovation, Hørslev Fonden, Danish Cancer Society and Novo Nordisk Foundation. There are no conflicts of interest. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT01304927. DATE OF TRIAL REGISTRATION: 25 February 2011. DATE OF ENROLMENT OF FIRST PATIENT: 8 March 2011.

Five-year follow-up of endometrial ablation: endometrial coagulation versus endometrial resection.

OBJECTIVE: A randomized, controlled trial was performed to compare the patient complication rate, effectiveness, and satisfaction rate of transcervical hysteroscopic endometrial coagulation versus endometrial resection in the treatment for heavy dysfunctional bleeding. METHODS: One hundred and twenty women requiring endometrial ablation for the treatment of heavy bleeding disorders entered the study. All patients were offered a clinical examination 24 months postoperatively and had a questionnaire by mail 5 years after the initial treatment. The number of complications during and after the operation, re-ablations, and hysterectomies were registered. A bleeding index and the patient satisfaction rate were stated. RESULTS: Sixty-one patients were treated by endometrial coagulation, and 59 were treated by endometrial resection. No differences between the two groups were observed concerning fluid absorption, bleeding, perforation, and infection. At the 5-year follow-up, 64% of the patients had only one ablation, 15% were treated twice, 15% had a hysterectomy, and 6% were lost to follow-up. After 5 years, the bleeding index was halved in patients with menses. Seventy-nine percent of the women would recommend the treatment to their best female friend. CONCLUSION: We found no significant differences in the frequency of complications. Only 15% of the women had a hysterectomy after 5 years. No significant difference was observed with respect to bleeding reduction and patient satisfaction in the two groups.