Use of carnitine therapy in selected cases of male factor infertility: a double-blind crossover trial

Lenzi, Andrea; Lombardo, Francesco; Sgrò, Paolo; Salacone, Paola; Caponecchia, Luisa; Dondero, F.; Gandini, L.

doi:10.1016/s0015-0282(02)04679-4

Cited by 232 publications

(154 citation statements)

References 40 publications

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“…However, only a few of the studies in this review evaluated this outcome, and no definitive answers have yet emerged from these trials. Fifteen in vivo studies 31,36,41,47,50,51,[62][63][64][65][66][67]69,76,82 included pregnancy rate among the end points measured; in two of these studies, a higher pregnancy rate was achieved, but was not statistically significant. 47,76 In another two studies, the pregnancy rate was lower in the antioxidant-treated group than in the control group, although the comparison was against clomiphene citrate or mesterolone rather than placebo.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Lenzi et al, 64 in 2003, found that 2 g day 21 of carnitine for 6 months produced a significant improvement in sperm concentration and motility in 100 patients with OAT, while the following year an increased sperm count and improved motility were found in 56 infertile men after combined daily treatment with carnitine and acetyl-L-carnitine (2 and 1 g, respectively) for 6 months. 65 A study of 219 men with varicocele also reported an increase in sperm concentration and motility and improved morphology after 4 months with the same treatment, although the improvements were less marked in subjects with grade IV or V varicocele.…”

Section: Antioxidant Studies Effectmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The role of antioxidant therapy in the treatment of male infertility: an overview

Lombardo¹,

Sansone²,

Romanelli³

et al. 2011

Asian J Androl

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In recent years, many studies have focused on the effect of oxidative stress, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidants on the male eproductive system. Under physiological conditions, sperm produces small amounts of ROS, which are needed for fertilisation, acrosome reaction and capacitation. However, if an increased production of ROS is not associated with a similar increase in scavenging systems, peroxidative damage of the sperm plasma membrane and loss of DNA integrity typically occur, which leads to cell death and reduced fertility. Furthermore, since there is no linear correlation between sperm quality and pregnancy rates, an improvement in semen parameters should not be the sole outcome considered in studies of antioxidant therapies. A definitive conclusion regarding the benefit of these therapies is difficult to obtain, as most of the previous studies lacked control groups, considered different antioxidants in different combinations and doses, or did not evaluate pregnancy rates in previously infertile couples. Even if beneficial effects were reported in a few cases of male infertility, more multicentre, double-blind studies performed with the same criteria are necessary for an increased understanding of the effects of various antioxidants on fertility.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Antioxidant Studies Effectmentioning

confidence: 99%

The role of antioxidant therapy in the treatment of male infertility: an overview

Lombardo¹,

Sansone²,

Romanelli³

et al. 2011

Asian J Androl

Self Cite

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“…Treatment with carnitines improves sperm forward motility and viability (Costa et al, 1994;Campaniello et al, 1989;Moncada et al, 1992;Vitali et al, 1995;Vicari and Calogero 2001;Lenzi et al, 2003). These drugs are also confirmed to be effective in infertile patients with prostatevesiculo-epididymitis (Vicari and Calogero 2001).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Exclusion criteria were: history of smoking habit, alcohol consumption, and occupational chemical exposure; history of major renal and hepatic disorders and myopathy; treatment with other drugs within the 3 months before enrolment in this study; history or presence of primary testicular disease (cryptorchidism, orchitis, varicocelle) or testicular volume ≤ 12ml; infected semen; elevated (>10 mIU/ml) serum FSH concentrations or other abnormal hormonal assay; abnormal sonography ; and abnormal MAR test (Lenzi et al, 2003;WHO 1999;Balercia et al, 2004).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A variety of studies support the conclusion that Lcarnitine and/or acetylcarnitine at daily amounts of 2-4gr/day can improve sperm concentration, total sperm counts and sperm motility among men with idiopathic oligo and/or asthenozoospermia, although none of samples in these studies includes severe oligoasthenoteratozoospermia. (Costa et al, 1994;Campaniello et al, 1989;Moncada et al, 1992;Vitali et al, 1995;Vicari and Calogero 2001;Lenzi et al, 2003). No study has been reported to use L-carnitine in ologozoospermic patients candidated for intracytoplasmic injection (ICSI).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Effect of L-Carnitine on Sperm Parameters in Patients Candidated for Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection

Khademi

Alleyassin

Aghahosseini

et al. 2005

Fertility and Sterility

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Background:The etiologic cause in near one third of male factor infertility is unknown. The percentage of men with idiopathic infertility who have been successfully treated by the empirical therapeutic modalities is not high. Objective: The aim of this study was to assay the effect of L-carnitine on sperm parameters in patients who needs intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) as a method for infertility treatment. Materials and Methods:The study population consisted of 65 men (mean age± SD: 34.4 ± 6.07) presenting with primary infertility due to idiopathic oligoasthenoteratozoospermia. L-carnitine was prescribed 1gram orally every 8 hours for 3 months. Before and after the ending of the L-carnitine treatment, semen analysis was performed. Results: The proportion of patients who had motile and grade C sperms rose significantly after treatment. Percentile of abnormal shaped sperms decreased significantly after treatment. In approximately 22%, complete asthenozoospermia changed to relative asthenozoospermia. Conclusion: Appearing motile sperms will potentially improve the technique of ICSI. The magnitude of the elevation in normal morphology is not clinically obvious, but it seems that it can be important in obtaining normal-shaped sperms for intracytoplasmic injection. Designing a study on selected patients with complete asthenozoospermia who have not other abnormalities in semen parameters can reveal the real effect of carnitine therapy in this category.

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Antioxidants for male subfertility

Showell

Brown

Yazdani

et al. 2011

Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews

296

112

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Use of carnitine therapy in selected cases of male factor infertility: a double-blind crossover trial

Cited by 232 publications

References 40 publications

The role of antioxidant therapy in the treatment of male infertility: an overview

The role of antioxidant therapy in the treatment of male infertility: an overview

The Effect of L-Carnitine on Sperm Parameters in Patients Candidated for Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection

Antioxidants for male subfertility

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