title: Combination effect of Pentoxifylline and L-carnitine on idiopathic oligoasthenoteratozoospermia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pentoxifylline (PX) is a methyl xanthine derivative that influences the sperm motion characteristics and L-carnitine (L-C) is an amino acid that is naturally produced in the body. In general, separate administration of PX and L-C has been reported to be effective on preserving sperm motility in vitro, and also when is consumed orally by the Idiopathic oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (IOAT) patients.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate any possible effect of a combination of L-C and PX on sperm characteristics and improving the type of assisted reproductive techniques (ART) in a group of patients with unexplained oligoasthenoteratozoospermia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two hundred twelve infertile men with IOAT in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial were allocated for this study. They randomized to four groups. Group I received PX/ and L-C (each one, twice daily), group II, PX and placebo, group III, L-C with the placebo, and group IV, received placebo tablets. Finally, we compared pre and post intervention sperm parameters and ART procedures between groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  While the use of PX and L-C are only improved sperm motility, but their combined uses improved all sperm parameters, especially the sperm count. Also the combination of PX and L-C was effective on improving the ART procedures (p<0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results demonstrate that the combination use of PX and L-C is useful in improving of sperm parameters in IOAT patients and also, improve ART procedures in this group of patients.
authors.affiliation: Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Fars Province, Shiraz, Iran.
authors.forename: Najme
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Moslemi Mehni
authors.affiliation: Physiology Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
authors.forename: Ali Asghar
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Ketabchi
authors.affiliation: Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Fars Province, Shiraz, Iran.
authors.forename: Ebrahim
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hosseini
keywords: Idiopathic; L-carnitine; Male infertility; Oligoasthenoteratozoospermia; Pentoxifylline