Managing mild to moderate male factor with L-carnitine. Case series

Authors

  • Linda Mlayes
  • Felipe Vergara
  • Luis De la Hoz
  • Alfredo Gómez
  • Irmgard Amaya
  • María del Carmen Vélez
  • Guido Parra

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18597/rcog.469

Keywords:

male factor, L-carnitine, infertility

Abstract

Objective: determining the efficacy of 1 gr of Lcarnitine applied via intramuscular route in treating mild to moderate male factor.

Materials and methods: 12 men diagnosed as having mild to moderate oligo-astenoteratozospermia participated in the study. One group used 1 gr IM L-carnitine every 4 days for at least 2 months prior to the assisted reproductive procedure (with their partners). The spermatic parameters obtained on the day of the procedure were taken as a control.

Results: the group which used L-carnitine for an average of 2 months showed a significant improvement in sperm concentration and mobility at the time of the assisted procedure, pregnancy being achieved in 50% of assisted reproduction cases.

Conclusion: using L-carnitine improves sperm concentration and mobility, thereby improving pregnancy rate.

Author Biographies

Linda Mlayes

Ginecoobstetra, Instituto de Reproducción Humana PROCREAR, Barranquilla, Colombia. Correo electrónico: lmlayes@hotmail.com

Felipe Vergara

Ginecoobstetra, Instituto de Reproducción Humana PROCREAR, Barranquilla, Colombia. 

Luis De la Hoz

Ginecoobstetra, Instituto de Reproducción Humana PROCREAR, Barranquilla, Colombia. 

Alfredo Gómez

Ginecoobstetra, Instituto de Reproducción Humana PROCREAR, Barranquilla, Colombia. 

Irmgard Amaya

Bióloga. Laboratorio In –Vitro, Instituto de Reproducción Humana PROCREAR, Barranquilla, Colombia.

María del Carmen Vélez

Bióloga. Laboratorio In –Vitro, Instituto de Reproducción Humana PROCREAR, Barranquilla, Colombia.

Guido Parra

Director Científico, Ginecoobstetra, Instituto de Reproducción Humana PROCREAR, Barranquilla, Colombia.

References

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Dockmeci D. Oxidative stress, male infertility and the role of carnitines. Folia Med (Plovdiv) 2005;47:26-30.

Lenzi A, Lombardo F, Sgro P, Salacone P, Caponecchia L, Dondero F, et al. Use of carnitine therapy in selected cases of male factor infertility: a double-blind crossover trial. Fertil Steril 2003;79:292-300.

Agarwal A, Gupta S, Sikka S. The role of free radicals and antioxidants in reproduction. Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol 2006;18:325-32.

Gurbuz B, Yalti S, Ficicioglu C, Zehir K. Relationship between semen quality and seminal plasma total carnitine in infertile men. J Obstet Gynaecol 2003;23:653-6.

Lenzi A, Lombardo F, Gandini L, Dondero F. [Metabolism and actino of L-carnitine: its posible role in sperm tail function]. Arch Ital Urol Nefrol Androl 1998;64:187-96.

Nq CM, Blackman MR, Wang C, Swerdloff RS. The role of carnitine in the male reproductive system. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2004;1033:177-88.

Caviglia D, Scarabelli L, Palmero S. Effects of carnitines on rat sertoli cell protein metabolism. Horm Metab Res 2004;36:221-5.

Sigman M, Glass S, Campagnone J, Pryor J. Carnitine for the treatment of idiopathic astenospermia: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Fertil Steril 2006;85:1409-14.

How to Cite

1.
Mlayes L, Vergara F, De la Hoz L, Gómez A, Amaya I, Vélez M del C, et al. Managing mild to moderate male factor with L-carnitine. Case series. Rev. colomb. obstet. ginecol. [Internet]. 2006 Dec. 20 [cited 2024 May 11];57(4):301-4. Available from: https://revista.fecolsog.org/index.php/rcog/article/view/469

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Published

2006-12-20
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