Vitamin D and ovarian reserve in women with endometriosis who experienced novel coronavirus infection

Aim: to study the effect of vitamin D on ovarian reserve in women with novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). Patients and Methods: 137 women aged 25–35 years with infertility associated with lack of ovulation (ICD: N97.0) presenting as hypergonadotropic, hypoestrogenic anovulation were evaluated and treated. Of this sample, 67 women had laboratory-confirmed SARS- CoV-2 infection and 70 women had no history of infection. All women in the sample had serum vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency. The women were divided into 2 groups; each group was divided into 2 subgroups. Group 1 (n=67) included women with a history of COVID-19. Group 2 (n=70) included women without a history of COVID-19. In addition to standard infertility treatment, 35 and 34 women in groups 1 and 2, respectively, received vitamin D supplementation (Fortedetrim), the dosage of which was determined according to the manufacturer's instructions based on the severity of vitamin D insufficiency (these women were included in treatment sub-groups 1A and 2A). Results: women who experienced COVID-19 had higher follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels and lower plasma estradiol concentrations than uninfected women. In these women, ultrasound also showed a decrease in the number of follicles per slice and in ovarian volume. Vitamin D improved reproductive function in women with a history of COVID-19 by decreasing FSH levels, increasing estradiol levels, and increasing antral follicle count and ovarian volume. No treatment-emergent adverse events, including clinically significant abnormalities in blood and urine tests, were reported. Conclusion: vitamin D supplementation in women of reproductive age with a history of COVID-19 and reduced ovarian reserve is a clinically effective and safe tool for the management of reproductive disorders. KEYWORDS: infertility, ovarian reserve, COVID-19, vitamin D, antral follicles, follicle-stimulating hormone, estradiol. FOR CITATION: Kalimatova D.M., Dobrokhotova Yu.E., Il'ina I.Yu. Vitamin D and ovarian reserve in women with endometriosis who experienced novel coronavirus infection. Russian Journal of Woman and Child Health. 2024;7(3):199–204 (in Russ.). DOI: 10.32364/2618-8430-2024-7-3-2.