ESPE Abstracts

Inorganic phosphate is essential for bone stability and various cellular metabolic pathways. Serum phosphate levels are regulated by an endocrine triangle of calcitriol, parathyroid hormone and fibroblast growth factor 23. In addition, a mineral buffering system is required to prevent mineral stress and ectopic calcification by spontaneous precipitation of calcium and phosphate. Current research indicates a complex interplay of phosphate homeostasis and inflammatory processes,...

Newer studies have indicated that vitamin D has more widespread effects than the classical effects on bone and calcium-phosphate homeostasis. The presence of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) in the testis and male reproductive tract indicates a role for vitamin D in male reproduction. Indeed, vitamin D deficiency and global knock out models of VDR or CYP27B1 in rodents have shown that vitamin D and calcium are important regulators of male reproductive function. Several groups have...