Abstract
PURPOSE Vitamin D supplementation has been suggested to increase testosterone levels. The primary purpose of this literature review was to critically assess the physiologic effects of vitamin D supplementation on serum testosterone concentrations in men and the secondary purpose was to evaluate the feasibility of vitamin D status toward urologic health (testis and prostate). METHODS A structured literature review was performed using the Cochrane, MEDLINE, and Web of Science databases. The literature search encompassed studies published between 2011 and 2019. FINDINGS Observational studies suggest an association between higher testosterone and serum vitamin D concentrations. Conversely, most randomized clinical trials that investigated the effect of vitamin D administration on testosterone levels have failed to detect any significant effect. Physiologically, vitamin D is engaging in spermatogenesis, but it remains unclear whether vitamin D is a determinant of fertility. With prostate support, the management of vitamin D status has been associated with a decreased prevalence of benign prostatic hyperplasia and symptoms (ie, lower urinary tract symptoms). However, with prostate cancer, there is a paucity of evidence pertaining to vitamin D supplementation. IMPLICATIONS Mechanistically, vitamin D exhibits essential roles in the testis and prostate; otherwise, there is no apparent evidence to support the use of vitamin D supplementation to increase testosterone levels and to improve clinical outcomes related to the male reproductive system.
