Abstract：
Vitamin D3 is a fat-soluble secosteroid predominantly synthesized in the skin or delivered with a diet. Nevertheless, recently it is considered more as a hormone than a vitamin due to its pleiotropic function within the organism ensured by widely distributed vitamin D receptors and metabolic enzymes. Besides the main role in calcium and phosphorus homeostasis, vitamin D3 was shown to regulate many cellular and metabolic processes in normal and cancerous tissues within the immune system, the cardiovascular system, the respiratory system and the endocrine system. The ovary is an important extraskeletal tissue of vitamin D3 action and local metabolism, indicating its role in the regulation of ovarian functions upon physiological and pathological conditions. This chapter reviews firstly the updated information about vitamin D3 metabolism and triggered intracellular pathways. Furthermore, the basic information about ovarian physiology and several aspects of vitamin D3 effects within the ovary are presented. Finally, the special attention is paid into possible mechanism of vitamin D3 action within ovarian pathologies such as premature ovarian failure, polycystic ovary syndrome, and ovarian cancer, considering its clinical application as alternative therapy.
摘要：
维生素D3是主要在皮肤中合成或通过饮食递送的脂溶性类固醇。然而，最近，由于广泛分布的维生素D受体和代谢酶确保了其在生物体内的多效性功能，因此它被认为是一种激素而不是维生素。除了在钙和磷稳态中的主要作用，维生素D3被证明可以调节免疫系统中正常组织和癌组织的许多细胞和代谢过程，心血管系统,呼吸系统和内分泌系统。卵巢是维生素D3感化和局部代谢的重要骨外组织，表明其在生理和病理条件下调节卵巢功能的作用。本章首先回顾了有关维生素D3代谢和触发的细胞内途径的最新信息。此外，介绍了有关卵巢生理学的基本信息以及维生素D3在卵巢中的作用。最后,特别注意维生素D3在卵巢病变如卵巢早衰中作用的可能机制，多囊卵巢综合征,卵巢癌，考虑其作为替代疗法的临床应用。
