Vitamin D and calcium : Impact on fertility and pregnancy

Published on 11/27/2017

Vitamin D is both a vitamin and prohormone which plays a vital role in the metabolism of calcium. By allowing a better intestinal absorption of calcium or by facilitating its fixation on the bones, vitamin D associated with calcium is traditionally recommended in the prevention of osteoporosis or the treatment of nutritional deficiencies most often related to specific pathologies (e.g.  renal impairment ...).

Today, an estimated 1 billion people suffer from vitamin D deficiency1, with significant peaks in areas such as the Middle East. For example, 90% of the population of the United Arab Emirates is deficient in vitamin D2. It is within this framework that the impact and consequences of vitamin D deficiency have been studied, particularly in cases of infertility and during pregnancy.

Vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of abnormal embryo implantation or an increased risk of preeclampsia or delayed fetal growth3. In addition to vitamin D, the use of calcium is also recommended during pregnancy to combat the risk of preeclampsia especially in populations with low daily intake4.

Vitamin D deficiency also has a negative impact on fertility, as evidenced by a recent study published in the journal of Human Reproduction. This analysis conducted by scientists at the University of Birmingham on more than 2700 women concluded that " The findings of this systematic review shows that there is an association between vitamin D status and reproductive treatment outcomes achieved in women undergoing ART ". The authors also emphasized " Our results show that vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency could be important conditions to treat in women considering ARTs. "3

Thanks to a rich portfolio including products like Ovusitol D and Natecal D, Versalya pharma is committed to providing solutions that meet the needs of women and their children at each important stage of their life.

Reference:

  1. Holick MF. Vitamin D deficiency. N Engl J Med 2007;357:266-81.
  2. Données de la Fondation internationale contre l'ostéoporose (International Osteoporosis Federation, IOF).
  3. Justin Chu, Ioannis Gallos, Aurelio Tobias, Bee Tan, Abey Eapen, Arri Coomarasamy; Vitamin D and assisted reproductive treatment outcome: a systematic review and meta-analysis, Human Reproduction, November 2017
  4. WHO recommendations on antenatal care for a positive pregnancy experience, 2016

 

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