Oral carnitine supplementation increases sperm motility in asthenozoospermic men with normal sperm phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase levels.
OBJECTIVE
To clarify the role of carnitine supplementation in idiopathic asthenozoospermia and to look for a rationale for its use in asthenozoospermic patients.


METHODS
Blind clinical study.


METHODS
Academic.


METHODS
Thirty asthenozoospermic patients divided in two groups according to phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (PHGPx) levels.


METHODS
Placebo for 3 months, then oral L-carnitine (2 g/day) for 3 months; semen samples were collected at baseline, after placebo, after carnitine administration, and again after 3 months with no drugs.


METHODS
Evaluation of seminal parameters and determination of seminal PHGPx levels, measured as rescued activity.


RESULTS
When asthenozoospermic subjects were divided in two groups on the basis of PHGPx levels, we observed an improvement of mean sperm motility only in the group of patients with normal PHGPx levels.


CONCLUSIONS
Phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase has an important role in male infertility, and carnitine treatment might improve sperm motility in the presence of normal mitochondrial function.
Garolla
Andrea
A
Histology, Microbiology and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
Maiorino
Matilde
M
Roverato
Alberto
A
Roveri
Antonella
A
Ursini
Fulvio
F
Foresta
Carlo
C
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D002331:Carnitine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D000080662:Phospholipid Hydroperoxide Glutathione Peroxidase; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology*
D000080662:Phospholipid Hydroperoxide Glutathione Peroxidase; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D002331:Carnitine