The effects of L-carnitine on sperm parameters in smoker and non-smoker patients with idiopathic sperm abnormalities.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effects of L: -carnitine on sperm parameters in patients with idiopathic sperm abnormalities.


METHODS
In an academic reproductive care center, 170 patients including 48 smokers and 122 non-smokers participated in a before-after study. Men were given 1 g of L: -carnitine orally 3 x daily for 3 months. Sperm assessment was done before and after the treatment. Main outcome measures were sperm concentration, motility, and morphology before and after the treatment.


RESULTS
L-Carnitine was effective in improvement of percentile of motile sperms, grade A sperms, and normal-shaped sperms. L-Carnitine significantly improved percentile of motile and grade A sperms in non-smokers. Only the change in the median percentile of normal forms was within the significant range in smokers.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study indicate that smoker patients should not be excluded from the treatment with L-carnitine based on smoking alone.
Khademi
Afsaneh
A
Vali-e-Asr Reproductive Health Research Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Dr. Shariati Hospital, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran. afkhademi@sina.tums.ac.ir
Alleyassin
Ashraf
A
Safdarian
Leili
L
Hamed
Ehsan Akbari
EA
Rabiee
Ehsan
E
Haghaninezhad
Hasan
H
D000328:Adult; D002331:Carnitine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013081:Sperm Motility; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure
D002331:Carnitine