Adequate vitamin D levels result in higher live birth rate in women undergoing ART

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Women undergoing ART with adequate levels of Vitamin D have a 30% increase chances of live birth as compared to women who were found deficient in Vitamin D says the results of a systematic review and meta-analysis published November 15, 2017 in Journal Human Reproduction.

The lead researcher was  Dr Justin Chu, an Academic Clinical Lecturer and Specialist Registrar in Obstetrics and Gynaecology for Tommy's National Centre for Miscarriage Research at the University of Birmingham and Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust.

It is known that every nearly 20%-50% of women of reproductive age are deficient in Vitamin D and many mechanisms are suggested. This meta-analysis found a higher prevalence of women with Vit D deficiency (34.6%) and insufficiency (34.6%). 

A total of 11 studies conducted over a period of 5 years (2010-2015) were included in the review, amounting to 2700 women receiving ART. Vitamin D levels were labelled as adequate or deficient according to Endocrine Society classification (<50 nmol/l deficient, 50–75 nmol/l insufficient and greater than 75nmol/l replete).

Pooled data from all the study for clinical pregnancy showed that women with more than 75nmol/l of vitamin D levels have 46% higher chances of clinical pregnancy (OR 1.46; CI 1.05–2.02; P = 0.02).

Similarly, these women with replete Vitamin D levels had a 33% increase chance of live birth rate (OR 1.33; CI 1.08–1.65; P = 0.39) and 34% increased chances of biochemical pregnancy (OR 1.34; CI 1.04–1.73; P = 0.28).

No correlation was found between Vitamin D levels and risk of miscarriages.

The main source of vitamin D for people is sunlight. Foods rich in Vitamin D are oily fish, red meat, liver and egg yolks also provide vitamin D, as well as vitamin D supplements

The researchers say the improved ART success in women replete in vitamin D "could be via the actions of vitamin D on the endometrium promoting embryo implantation or as a surrogate marker for general well-being."

Dr Chu, from the University of Birmingham’s Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, cautioned that the findings do not mean that vitamin D supplementation necessarily improves women’s chances of having a baby following ART as the research can only show an association.

Dr Chu said: “Although an association has been identified, the beneficial effect of correction of vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency needs to be tested by performing a clinical trial.

“In the meantime, women who want to achieve a successful pregnancy should not rush off to their local pharmacy to buy vitamin D supplements until we know more about its effects. It is possible to overdose on vitamin D and this can lead to too much calcium building up in the body, which can weaken bones and damage the heart and kidneys.”

The researchers are calling for large randomizes studies to confirm the findings of other studies and prove causation.

“Testing for vitamin D concentrations is relatively cheap and widely available and its treatment is not costly,” said Dr Chu. “It could be that correcting vitamin D deficiency could benefit women undergoing assisted reproduction treatment, but further research is needed to test this.”

Full Text

News Release by the University of Birmingham

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