Identification of the Role of Vitamin D and VDR in Human Endometrial Stromal Cells

In women undergoing in vitro fertilization, higher vitamin D status has been associated with improved live birth rates. Among women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), vitamin D has been associated with improvements in spontaneous ovulation. Vitamin D receptor (VDR) is a nuclear receptor activated by 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D which is the most active metabolite of vitamin D. Mice that lack the vitamin D receptor exhibit arrested follicular development, uterine hypoplasia, prolonged estrous cycles, and subfertility. Also, one study of mice reported that the vitamin D receptor is expressed in gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons, which might suggest a role for vitamin D in hypothalamic signaling. Since the vitamin D receptor knockout mouse is sub fertile with uterine hyperplasia, the most likely cause of vitamin D deficiency may be due to estrogen production by the ovary or estrogen responsiveness of the uterus. So, in this study, we want to identify the effect of vitamin D on human endometrial stromal cells associated with female reproduction.