Effect of L-carnitine supplement on semen parameters in men with idiopathic infertility

It is proposed that L-carnitine is a useful agent for treatment of various dysfunctions of sperm in infertile men. So, in the present study, effect of L-carnitine supplement on sperm parameters in men with idiopathic infertility was evaluated. Thirty infertile men, aged between 20 and 40 years, with the following baseline sperm selection criteria, including sperm count< 66.6×106, motility< 30%, viability< 60%, normal morphology< 35%, were studied. Patients received 3 gram per day L-carnitine for six months. Semen analysis was performed according to World Health Organization guidelines before study, and 3 and 6 months of therapy. Sperm parameters included liquefaction, pH, volume, sperm count, motility, viability and normal morphology. The results showed that L-carnitine supplementation increased significantly sperm count, motility, viability and normal morphogy and pregnancy rate after 3 months (p<0.01) and 6 months (p<0.001). Also, L-carnitine supplementation increased sperm motility and viability in idiophatic infertile men after 3 and 6 months (p<0.001). Five couples became pregnant during the study. The present study indicated that L-carnitine supplementation is an appropriate drug in the treatment of men with idiopathic infertility.