Doctor of Medical Sciences Proves Vitamin D Improves Sperm Quality in Rats Exposed to Cigarette Smoke

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• Selasa, 1 Juli 2025
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Doctor of Medical Sciences Proves Vitamin D Improves Sperm Quality in Rats Exposed to Cigarette Smoke

Located in the Postgraduate Hall, 3rd Floor, Postgraduate Building, Udayana University, the Doctor of Medical Sciences Study Program, Faculty of Medicine, Udayana University held an open Doctoral Promotion examination with candidate Meriana Barreto Amaral, L.Ed, L.Obst, M.E.Part. with the title "The Effect of Vitamin D Administration on Malondialdehyde, Vitamin D Receptor Expression, Testosterone Levels and Sperm Quality in Wistar Rats (Rattus norvegicus) Exposed to Cigarette Smoke". (6/30/2025)

Male infertility is a global health problem that is increasing significantly. One of the causes of the increasing prevalence is exposure to cigarette smoke which has an impact on spermatozoa quality. Vitamin D has been identified as a potential agent to improve reproductive parameters. This study aims to understand the mechanism of vitamin D administration in rats exposed to cigarette smoke as much as 4 cigarettes per day in relation to sperm quality.

The research design used was a randomized post-test only control group design. The study was conducted at the Integrated Biomedical Laboratory of the Faculty of Medicine using 36 male Wistar Rattus norvegicus rats aged 10-12 weeks. The rats were divided into 2 groups where the treatment group was exposed to 4 cigarette smoke per day then given vitamin D orally at a dose of 18 IU/KgBW/day and then the control group was exposed to 4 cigarette smoke per day without vitamin D. The data observed included malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, VDR expression, testosterone levels, and spermatozoa quality (number, motility, viability, and morphology). The treatment was carried out for 35 days.

The results showed that vitamin D had a lower malondialdehyde (MDA) effect of 5.54±0.21 nmol/mL in the treatment group compared to the control and was significant (p < 0.05). Vitamin D receptor expression was found to be higher by 9.46±0.56 cells/LBP in the treatment group compared to the control group and was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Testosterone hormone levels were found to be higher by 13.19±0.18 ng/dL in the treatment group compared to the control. Likewise, it was found that the effect of vitamin D provided better spermatozoa quality in the treatment group compared to the control. Sperm quality (number, motility, viability, and morphology), respectively, was higher in the treatment group by; 5.18±0.32 number of cells/mL; 27.94±2.27%; 31.03±2.15%, and 31.67±2.00% and all were statistically significant (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: administration of vitamin D at a dose of 18 IU/kgBW to Wistar rats exposed to cigarette smoke provided a better effect on spermatozoa quality compared to the control. This effect is in line with lower MDA levels, vitamin D receptor expression and higher testosterone hormone levels.

This examination was led by the Vice Dean for General Affairs and Finance of the Faculty of Medicine, Udayana University, Prof. Dr. I Made Sudarmaja, M.Kes., with the following examiner team:

1. Prof. Dr. dr. Bagus Komang Satriyasa, M.Repro (Promoter)

2. Prof. Dr. dr. I Wayan Putu Sutirta Yasa, M.Si (Co-promoter I)

3. Prof. Dr. dr. I Made Sudarmaja, M.Kes (Co-promoter II)

4. Prof. Dr. dr. I Made Jawi, M.Kes

5. Prof. Dr. Ir. Ida Bagus Putra Manuaba, M.Phil

6. Dr. dr. Ni Made Linawati, M.Si

7. Dr. dr. I Gusti Ayu Widianti, M.Biomed

8. Prof. dr. Nelson Martins, S.Ked., GCert.PH, MHM, Ph.D TB and Public Health Specialist

9.Dr. Ir. Wayan Wariata, M.Sc

10.Dr. Dr. I Wayan Suranadi, Sp.An-TI, Subsp.T.I.(K)

By academic invitation:

1.Dr. Dr. I Wayan Suranadi, Sp.An-TI, Subsp.T.I.(K)

2. dr. Agus Eka Darwinata, S.Ked., Ph.D

3.Dr. Dr. Made Agus Hendrayana, M.Ked

4.Dr. Dr. I Nyoman Gede Wardana, S.Ked., M.Biomed

5.Dr. Dr. I Wayan Sugiritama, M.Kes

In this exam, Dr. Meriana Barreto Amaral, L.Ed, L.Obst, M.E.Part., was declared to have graduated as the 462nd Doctoral Graduate of the Doctoral Program in Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Udayana University with the predicate CUM LAUDE.

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