[A controlled randomized trial of the use of combined L-carnitine and acetyl-L-carnitine treatment in men with oligoasthenozoospermia].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the efficacy and safety of combined L-carnitine and acetyl-L-carnitine therapy in infertile males with oligoasthenozoospermia.


METHODS
One hundred fifty patients with oligoasthenozoospermia were randomized selected into treatment and control groups. The treatment group with 90 patients were given L-carnitine (2 g/d) and acetyl-L-carnitine (1 g/d) orally, twice a day. The patients in control group were given Vitamin E 100 mg plus Vitamin C 100 mg, tid. The oral therapy lasted three months and patients accepted sperm analysis every one month. The L-carnitine level in seminal plasma was examined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPC). Side effects as well as pregnant rate were observed.


RESULTS
In the treatment group, 85 patients out of 90 finished the three month treatment. Female spouses of 10 patients (11.6%) achieved pregnancy. Moreover, their forward motile sperm per ejaculation, total motile sperm, as well as the concentration of L-carnitine in seminal plasma were increased significantly (P < 0.01). In control group, 53 patients out of 60 completed three months therapy. Two pregnancy (3.7%) was observed. Though some increase was seen in number of forward motile sperm and total motile sperm per ejaculation, the changes were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The difference of the pregnant rate between two groups was statistically significant. No side effects were found.


CONCLUSIONS
Combined treatment with L-carnitine and acetyl-L-calmitine can be an effective and safe option for treating oligoasthenozoospermia by means of significantly improving forward motile sperm and total motile sperm per ejaculation, as well as increasing pregnant rates.
Li
Zheng
Z
Department of Urology, Renji Hospital of Shanghai Second Medical Univesity, Shanghai 200001, China. lizhengboshi@163.com
Chen
Guo-wu
GW
Shang
Xue-jun
XJ
Bai
Wen-jun
WJ
Han
Yin-fa
YF
Chen
Bin
B
Teng
Xiao-ming
XM
Meng
Fan-hui
FH
Zhang
Bin
B
Chen
De-ning
DN
Liu
Ji-hong
JH
Zheng
Xin-min
XM
Cao
Xiao-rong
XR
Liu
Yong
Y
Zhu
Xiao-bin
XB
Wang
Yi-xin
YX
D000108:Acetylcarnitine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D002331:Carnitine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009845:Oligospermia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate
D000108:Acetylcarnitine; D002331:Carnitine