Effect of high-dose cholecalciferol supplementation in obese infertile men

A recent study suggests that that infertile men with obesity and low vitamin D status can attain adequate serum calcidiol (25OHD) levels through the supplementation of high-dose cholecalciferol (vitamin D3). This study’s findings were published in The British journal of nutrition.

The study was a double-blinded, randomized clinical trial conducted at a single center, with 307 infertile men assigned to either active treatment or a placebo for a period of 150 days. Participants in the active group were given an initial oral bolus of 300 000 mg of vitamin D3, followed by daily supplementation of 1400 mg of vitamin D3 and 500 mg of calcium.

At baseline, it was observed that men with a normal weight (BMI < 25 kg/m²) had notably higher levels of serum 25OHD compared to men who were overweight (BMI 25-30 kg/m²) and obese (BMI > 30 kg/m²) (48 nmol/l vs. 45 nmol/l and 39 nmol/l, respectively). Subsequently, after the intervention, it was found that men with normal weight, overweight, and obesity who received vitamin D3 treatment exhibited significantly higher levels of serum 25OHD in comparison to men in the corresponding placebo group (92 nmol/l vs. 53 nmol/l, 87 nmol/l vs. 49 nmol/l, and 85 nmol/l vs. 48 nmol/l; respectively).

Based on the above results, it can be concluded that high-dose vitamin D3 supplementation in obese infertile men with low vitamin D levels is effective in attaining optimal serum 25OHD levels.