[L-carnitine improves the reproductive function of male rats with ornidazole-induced asthenospermia].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the protective effect of L-carnitine (LC) on the reproductive function of male rats with asthenospermia induced by ornidazole (ORN).


METHODS
Forty male SD rats (200-230 g) were randomly divided into Groups A (control: 0.5% carboxymethylcellulose solution), B (medium-dose ORN: 400 mg/kg/d), C (medium-dose ORN + LC: ORN 400 mg/kg/d + LC 100 mg/kg/d), D (high-dose ORN: 800 mg/kg/d), and E (high-dose ORN + LC: ORN 800 mg/kg/d + LC 100 mg/kg/d). All the rats were treated via gastric gavage for 20 days consecutively, and then killed for the detection of sperm motility and the sperm count of the cauda epididymis.


RESULTS
Compared with Group A, there was a significant decrease in sperm motility and sperm count in Groups B and D (P < 0.05), while Group C showed a significant increase in both the parameters as compared with B (P < 0.05), but with no significant difference from A (P > 0.05). Group E exhibited no obvious improvement in sperm motility and sperm count, with no difference from D (P > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
L-carnitine can improve the sperm motility and sperm count of the male rats with ornidazole-induced asthenospermia.
Zhang
Wen
W
Department of Family Planning, Nanjing General Hospital of Nanjing Military Region, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210002, China.
Liu
Qing-Zhen
QZ
Shang
Xue-Jun
XJ
Huang
Yu-Feng
YF
Wang
Hao-Yang
HY
D000818:Animals; D053627:Asthenozoospermia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002331:Carnitine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D009950:Ornidazole / Q000009:adverse effects; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D009950:Ornidazole; D002331:Carnitine