Association Between Vitamin D Intake and Vitamin D Status with Semen Parameters Among Young Men in Southern Spain

Abstract

Background: We have previously reported that semen quality has drastically declined in Southern Spain during the last decade. Low serum vitamin D has been associated with low sperm motility in some epidemiological studies. In Spain, despite a high average sun exposure, population studies have shown that vitamin D serum levels are suboptimal and that a higher than expected percentage of the general population is vitamin D deficient. Changes in social mores and the perception of sun exposure as a health risk may have contributed to reduced exposure of unprotected skin to effective sun exposure.