Association of serum inorganic phosphate with sex steroid hormones and vitamin D in a nationally representative sample of men

Abstract

SUMMARY Defects in bone regulatory pathways have been linked to chronic diseases including cardiovascular disease and cancer. In men, a link between bone metabolism and gonadal hormones has been suggested. However, to date, there is lack of evidence on the association between serum inorganic phosphate (Pi) and sex steroid hormones. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between Pi, sex steroid hormones and a known Pi metabolic regulator, vitamin D, in men in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III (NHANES III). From NHANES III, we selected 1412 men aged 20+ who participated in the morning session of Phase I (1988–1991) with serum measurements of Pi, sex hormones, and vitamin D. Multivariable linear regression was used to calculate crude and geometric mean Pi by total and estimated free testosterone and estradiol, sex hormone-binding globulin, androstanediol glucuronide (AAG), and vitamin D. Similar analyses were performed while stratifying by race/ethnicity and vitamin D levels. We found a lack of statistically significant difference in geometric means of Pi across quintiles of concentrations of sex hormones, indicating a tight regulation of Pi. However, Pi levels were inversely associated with calculated free testosterone in non-Hispanic black men, with geometric mean levels of Pi of 1.16 and 1.02 ng/mL for those in the lowest and highest quintiles of free testosterone, respectively (p-trend < 0.05). A similar but weaker pattern was seen between total testosterone and Pi. An inverse association was also seen between AAG and Pi in men with vitamin D concentration below the median (<24.2 ng/mL). No associations were observed among men with vitamin D levels at or above the median. Our findings suggest a weak link among sex hormones, vitamin D, and Pi in men. The observed effects of race/ethnicity and vitamin D indicate a complex association involving various regulators of Pi homeostasis.

Association of vitamin D status with semen quality and reproductive hormones in Iranian subfertile men

“…Some studies have shown a positive association between serum vitamin D levels and total T (Wehr et al, 2010;Lee et al, 2012). Researchers observed a weak link among sex hormones, vitamin D, and Phosphorus in men and reported no associations among men with vitamin D levels above the median (Wulaningsih et al, 2014). In agreement with other studies, we found no correlation between vitamin D and reproductive hormones (Blomberg Jensen et al, 2011;Bjerrum et al, 2011).…”

The Relationship between Vitamin D and Glaucoma: A Kangbuk Samsung Health Study

“…An altered sexual hormone status has been shown to lead to nutrition deficiency and various chronic diseases [3334]. According to several studies, vitamin D status influences female reproductive and pregnancy outcomes, and low vitamin D status is associated with impaired fertility, endometriosis, and polycystic ovary syndrome [3536]. Based on various studies, vitamin D levels have an influence on the health of females.…”

Fibroblast Growth Factor 23 Concentrations Reflect Sex Differences in Mineral Metabolism and Growth in Early Infancy

“…Larger bone indices are associated with sex hormone levels, and bone tissue expresses sex steroid-related enzymes and receptors [29]. Testosterone may influence bone formation together with other calciotropic and phosphotropic hormones; a negative correlation between testosterone and phosphate has been observed in males [30]. Neonates have a minipuberty during the first months of life [31].…”