Is Vitamin D The Missing Piece of the Subfertility Puzzle in Pakistani Women? A Cross Sectional Evaluation of Vitamin D Status and Ovarian Reserve Markers

Objective

This study was conceived with the objective to assess ovarian reserves in presence of vitamin D deficiency (VDD) in a select group of Pakistani sub fertile women, presenting at a specialized fertility centre. The measurements of antral follicle count (AFC), Serum Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), Serum Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and Serum Vitamin D (VD) levels were the main tools used for the assessment of ovarian reserve.

Materials & Methods A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at the Australian Concept Medical Centre after approval from the institutional ethical review committee. All female patients aged 18 to 45 years, presenting with primary and/or secondary subfertility, at the Australian Concept Medical Centre in Karachi, Pakistan from August 2016 to July 2021 were included in the study (n=301). Inclusion criteria was focused on subjects labelled as sub fertile by the consultant gynecologist, based on the criteria of failed to conceive after 12 months of no contraceptive use. Patients with missing data i.e., BMI, duration of subfertility, age, AMH, 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD), AFC and FSH were further excluded.

The Biochemical analysis was performed at the section of Chemical Pathology, department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Aga Khan University, Karachi. 25-OHD was analyzed by a chemiluminescence assay on the liaison XL (DiaSorin) analyzer. AMH was measured using electro chemiluminescence assay on the Roche Diagnostic e411 analyzer. While FSH quantification was done using ADVIA Centaur FSH assay from Siemens Medical Solutions Diagnostics USA. The internal and external quality assurance was ensured according to the institutional protocol. Moreover, the laboratory is accredited by the College of American Pathologists (CAP) and Joint Commission international, ensuring external quality assurance.

AFC was determined through a transvaginal 2D ultrasound of the pelvis. To reduce the bias, all ultrasound scans were conducted in the center using the same machine (Model 6v1: Sonoscape) and vaginal probe (3.5 Hz). Before ultra sound procedure, patients were directed to empty bladder and a standard ultrasound technique was used. Two values were obtained, one for each ovary, and an average was taken to obtain a final value.