Can VDR help with fertility?

Whether the vitamin D receptor (VDR) can help with fertility is not clearly established. Mechanistic studies suggest that vitamin D, acting through VDR, may influence reproductive processes such as oocyte maturation, sperm quality, and embryo implantation. However, most evidence comes from cell or animal models. Human observational studies have reported weak and inconsistent associations between VDR gene variants and fertility outcomes. Direct-to-consumer DNA tests that include VDR variants are not clinically actionable for fertility. Fertility is multifactorial – age, hormones, lifestyle, and nutrition play dominant roles. Supplementing vitamin D based solely on a genetic test is not recommended unless a deficiency is confirmed by blood work. Evidence: mechanistic/unclear.