Fertility and Sterility
Volume 81, Issue 6 , Pages 1578-1584, June 2004

A placebo-controlled double-blind randomized trial of the use of combined l-carnitine and l-acetyl-carnitine treatment in men with asthenozoospermia☆

  • Andrea Lenzi, M.D.

      Affiliations

    • Seminology and Reproductive Immunology Unit, Training Center in Andrology of the European Academy of Andrology, Department of Medical Physiopathology, University of Rome “La Sapienza”, Rome, Italy
    • Corresponding Author InformationReprint requests: Andrea Lenzi, M.D., Laboratory of Seminology and Reproductive Immunology, Andrology Unit, Department of Medical Physiopathology, University of Rome “La Sapienza,” Policlinico Umberto I–00161 Rome, Italy (FAX: 39-06-4469663)
    • ,
  • Paolo Sgrò, M.D.

      Affiliations

    • Seminology and Reproductive Immunology Unit, Training Center in Andrology of the European Academy of Andrology, Department of Medical Physiopathology, University of Rome “La Sapienza”, Rome, Italy
    • ,
  • Pietro Salacone, M.D.

      Affiliations

    • Seminology and Reproductive Immunology Unit, Training Center in Andrology of the European Academy of Andrology, Department of Medical Physiopathology, University of Rome “La Sapienza”, Rome, Italy
    • ,
  • Donatella Paoli, B.Sc.

      Affiliations

    • Seminology and Reproductive Immunology Unit, Training Center in Andrology of the European Academy of Andrology, Department of Medical Physiopathology, University of Rome “La Sapienza”, Rome, Italy
    • ,
  • Barbara Gilio, M.D.

      Affiliations

    • Seminology and Reproductive Immunology Unit, Training Center in Andrology of the European Academy of Andrology, Department of Medical Physiopathology, University of Rome “La Sapienza”, Rome, Italy
    • ,
  • Francesco Lombardo, Ph.D.

      Affiliations

    • Seminology and Reproductive Immunology Unit, Training Center in Andrology of the European Academy of Andrology, Department of Medical Physiopathology, University of Rome “La Sapienza”, Rome, Italy
    • ,
  • Maria Santulli, B.Sc.

      Affiliations

    • Department of Cell Biotechnology and Hematology, University of Rome “La Sapienza”, Rome, Italy
    • ,
  • Ashok Agarwal, Ph.D.

      Affiliations

    • Center for Advanced Research in Human Reproduction, Infertility, and Sexual Function, Urological Institute, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
    • ,
  • Loredana Gandini, B.Sc.

      Affiliations

    • Seminology and Reproductive Immunology Unit, Training Center in Andrology of the European Academy of Andrology, Department of Medical Physiopathology, University of Rome “La Sapienza”, Rome, Italy

Received 23 July 2003; received in revised form 22 October 2003; accepted 22 October 2003.

Abstract 

Objective

To determine the efficacy of combined l-carnitine and l-acetyl-carnitine therapy in infertile males with oligo-astheno-teratozoospermia.

Design

Placebo-controlled double-blind randomized trial.

Setting

University tertiary referral center.

Patient(s)

Sixty infertile patients (aged 20–40 years) with the following baseline sperm selection criteria: concentration, 10 to 40 × 106/mL; forward motility, <15%; total motility, 10% to 40%; and atypical forms, <80%. Fifty-six patients completed the study.

Intervention(s)

Patients were submitted to a combined treatment of l-carnitine (2 g/d) and l-acetyl-carnitine (1 g/d) or of placebo; the study design was 2 months' wash-out, 6 months of therapy or of placebo, and 2 months' follow-up.

Main outcome measure(s)

Variation in the semen parameters that were used for patient selection.

Result(s)

Even though increases were seen in all sperm parameters after combined carnitine treatment, the most significant improvement in sperm motility (both forward and total) was present in patients who had lower initial absolute values of motile sperm (<4 × 106 forward or <5 × 106 total motile spermatozoa per ejaculate).

Conclusion(s)

Combined treatment with l-carnitine and l-acetyl-carnitine in a controlled study of efficacy was effective in increasing sperm motility, especially in groups with lower baseline levels.

Keywords:  Male infertility, asthenozoospermia, semen, carnitine, sperm motility

To access this article, please choose from the options below

Login to an existing account or Register a new account.

  • Purchase this article for 31.50 USD (You must login/register to purchase this article)

    Online access for 24 hours. The PDF version can be downloaded as your permanent record.

  • Subscribe to this title

    Get unlimited online access to this article and all other articles in this title 24/7 for one year.

  • Claim access now

    For current subscribers with Society Membership or Account Number.

  • Visit SciVerse ScienceDirect to see if you have access via your institution.
 

☆ Supported by the Italian Ministry of University and Research, the University of Rome “La Sapienza,” and the Rome University Hospital of the Faculty of Medicine through grants from Sigma Tau srl (Pomezia–Italy).

PII: S0015-0282(04)00209-2

doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2003.10.034

Fertility and Sterility
Volume 81, Issue 6 , Pages 1578-1584, June 2004

Article Tools