Protective effect of L-carnitine on sperm motility and membrane integrity in men asthenoteratozoospermia: An in vitro study

Background: Sperm preparation is a time-consuming process that makes a contribution to oxidative stress induction in assisted reproductive techniques. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of L-carnitine on sperm parameters during semen preparation at different time intervals. Materials and Methods: In this in vitro study, the semen samples of 50 asthenoteratozoospermic men were divided into the control and the L-carnitine groups (incubated with 0.5 mg/mL L-carnitine) (n=25/each). Total motility, progressive motility, sperm membrane integrity (by Hypo-osmotic swelling test), and lipid peroxidation (by Malondialdehyde level) were assessed in each group after 2, 4, and 6 hours. Afterward, samples were analyzed by the World Health Organization (2010) criteria. Result: The results showed that in the control group total and progressive motility, and membrane integrity of the sperm were significantly decreased after 2 hr (P= 0.028, p= 0.019, and p= 0.025, respectively), while Malondialdehyde levels increased significantly after 4 hr (P= 0.018). Sperm parameters in the L-carnitine group increased significantly after 2 hr (P= 0.002), while Malondialdehyde levels decreased significantly compared to the control group in 6 hr (P < 0.001 vs. P =0.045). Conclusion: Based on these results, L-carnitine can manage to conserve motility and sperm membrane integrity of sperm from the hazardous impact of oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation during sperm preparation.

Protective effect of L-carnitine on sperm motility and membrane integrity in men asthenoteratozoospermia: An in vitro study Keywords:

L-carnitine , Asthenoteratozoospermia , Membrane integrity , Sperm parameter