Vitamin D and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) as defined by "the presence of any two out of three criteria i.e. Oligo and/or anovulation, excess androgen activity and/or polycystic ovarian morphology on ultrasound", is a prevalent cause of female infertility. In the endocrine milieu of PCOS higher levels of insulin due to insulin resistance (IR) exert direct effects on the ovaries, release insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) from the liver and both then increase levels of testosterone. The resultant prevents the growth of ovarian follicles to acquire the required dimension for ovulation (i.e. > 10 mm) hence leading to anovulation and therefore subfertility. Vitamin D (VD) has found to be predominantly deficient in PCOS females, documented to cause IR giving rise to anovulatory cycles, hyperandrogenism and other significant features of PCOS. Therefore, we have hypothesized that treatment with VD in PCOS females can reduce IR, improve ovulation and signs of hyperandrogenism. Since Metformin is frequently prescribed for reducing IR and hence the treatment for anovulatory infertility in these females, we have planned to conduct an open label randomized control trial in PCOS infertile females who have vitamin D levels < than 25 ng/ml and are receiving Metformin therapy after ethical approval from Aga Khan University. The intervention group will receive VD Cholecalciferol (D2) 50,000 I.U once weekly for 12 weeks, followed by 50,000 I.U once every fortnight for 24 weeks with the Metformin treatment as prescribed by the physician whereas control group will receive Metformin treatment during the study period. We will compare change in number of dominant follicles (more than 10 mm) / endometrial thickness in both groups by Day 12 trans-vaginal ultrasound at the time of enrollment with scans done after 12 and 24 weeks. The other biochemical parameters [Total Testosterone, Steroid Hormone Binding Globulin, Free Androgen Index, Lipid Accumulation Product, Serum Insulin, Serum Triglycerides, Serum Calcium and Albumin] will be done at the time of recruitment in both the intervention and control groups and compared.