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 ۵۰ asthenoteratozoospermic men were divided into the control and the L-carnitine groups (incubated with ۰.۵ mg/mL L-carnitine) (n=۲۵/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 ۲, ۴, and ۶ hours. Afterward, samples were analyzed by the World Health Organization (۲۰۱۰) criteria. Result: The results showed that in the control group total and progressive motility, and membrane integrity of the sperm were significantly decreased after ۲ hr (P= ۰.۰۲۸, p= ۰.۰۱۹, and p= ۰.۰۲۵, respectively), while Malondialdehyde levels increased significantly after ۴ hr (P= ۰.۰۱۸). Sperm parameters in the L-carnitine group increased significantly after ۲ hr (P= ۰.۰۰۲), while Malondialdehyde levels decreased significantly compared to the control group in ۶ hr (P < ۰.۰۰۱ vs. P =۰.۰۴۵). 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.

Keywords:

L-carnitine , Asthenoteratozoospermia , Membrane integrity , Sperm parameter