O-25: Relation between Follicular Fluid Levels of 25 Hydroxy Vitamin D and Clinical Pregnancy following Embryo Transfer

Background: Animal and in vitro studies have shown that 25-OH vitamin D plays a significant role in different parts of body. Few data exist about the role of 25- OH vitamin D in reproduction. Insufficient levels during pregnancy are potentially associated with increased risk of preeclampsia, insulin resistance and gestational diabetes mellitus. Recently, few studies have assessed the prognostic role of this vitamin in follicular fluid in infertile cases undergoing assisted reproductive techniques. This study aimed at evaluating possible association between follicular fluid levels of 25-OH vitamin D and clinical pregnancy following embryo transfer. Materials and Methods: In this analytic - descriptive study, 80 infertile female candidates of the assisted reproductive techniques (in vitro fertilization, micro injection) were recruited during a 12-month period in Tabriz Alzahra Teaching Hospital. Upon the puncturing time of the mature follicles, their fluid was aspirated and the follicular fluid level of 25-OH vitamin D was measured. The serum estradiol was measured on the day of HCG administration. Finally, the patients were categorized according to the fertilization outcome (with and without clinical pregnancy). Results: The mean follicular fluid level of 25-OH vitamin D was 12.5 ± 5.5 (1 - 24) ng/ml and the mean serum estradiol was 2593.8 ± 1407.5 (568 - 4500) pg/ml in the studied population. Overall, there were 18 cases with clinical pregnancy (22.5%). Median follicular fluid 25-OH vitamin D was significantly higher in the group with clinical pregnancy (14.5 vs. 13 ng/ml; p= 0.007). There was not a significant correlation between the follicular fluid 25-OH vitamin D and the serum estradiol levels (rho = 0.067, p= 0.56). There was a significant direct correlation between the follicular fluid 25-OH vitamin D and age (rho = 0.264, p= 0.018) and the implantation rate (rho = 0.301, p= 0.007). Conclusion: This study proposed a significant positive association between the follicular fluid 25-OH vitamin D level and clinical conception following assisted reproductive techniques. So administration of this vitamin might be appreciated in this group of patients.