The mechanism analysis using PI3K/AKT pathway for the effects of levocarnitine in the treatment of spermatogenic dysfunction

Abstract

According to the World Health Organization, infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after 1 year of unprotected intercourse (Zegers-Hochschild et al., 2009). Worldwide, about 10%-15% of couples have infertility (Lotti & Maggi, 2018). The study of Agarwal et al.showed that male infertility rates were highest in Africa and Central/ Eastern Europe, whereas corresponding rates for North America, Australia, and Central and Eastern Europe varied from 4.5%-6%, 9% and 8%-12% respectively (Agarwal et al., 2015). While the most powerful negative predictive factor of fertility is increasing women's age at conception (Hart, 2016), other factors including lifestyle and environmental factors are believed to play an increasing role.Treatment measures include symptomatic treatments such as oestrogen receptor modulators, sperm nutrition agents and antibiotics, whose clinical efficacy remains to be proven (Cannarella et al., 2019;