{"paper_id":"cb4981cc-5406-4b12-993c-439ecab88286","body_text":"Abstract\nBackground\nEndometriosis is one of the most common gynecological diseases of reproductive age, with a prevalence of 5–10% and grave consequences for quality of life and fertility. Vitamin D (vit D), a classic regulator of plasma calcium concentration and skeleton mineralization, is also an effective modulator of the immune system. Several studies suggest that immunologic properties attributed to vit D along with vit D receptor (VDR) expression in reproductive tissues may be involved in the pathogenesis of endometriosis.\nObjective\nTo systematically review the literature for the association between components of vit D metabolism and endometriosis.\nMaterials and methods\nA systematic review of the literature published in the Medline and Cochrane Central databases was conducted for original research articles on humans, published in any language.\nResults\nTwenty-one studies were included in the systematic review. Among them, 12 examined the relationship of endometriosis with vit D metabolites, eight with vit D–binding protein (VDBP), three with VDR polymorphisms, and two with vit D regulatory enzymes. There are discrepancies between the outcomes of the available literature publications.\nConclusions\nThis is a systematic attempt to collect, evaluate, and present the known data on the association between vit D and endometriosis. Given the heterogeneity and the diversity of the present studies, more research is required to elucidate the association between vit D and endometriosis.\nSimilar content being viewed by others\nReferences\nVigano P et al (2004) Endometriosis: epidemiology and aetiological factors. Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol 18(2):177–200\nGylfason JT et al (2010) Pelvic endometriosis diagnosed in an entire nation over 20 years. Am J Epidemiol 172(3):237–243\nVercellini P et al (2014) Endometriosis: pathogenesis and treatment. Nat Rev Endocrinol 10(5):261–275\nViganó P et al (2006) Molecular mechanisms and biological plausibility underlying the malignant transformation of endometriosis: a critical analysis. 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Hormones 19, 109–121 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42000-019-00166-w\nReceived:\nAccepted:\nPublished:\nVersion of record:\nIssue date:\nDOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42000-019-00166-w","source_license":"CC0","license_restricted":false}