05.01.05
Indication: Infertility
Source: J Andrology, 2004;25:761-770.
Research: The objective of the study was to test the hypotheses that carnitines or carnitines plus a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug could improve sperm patterns and natural pregnancy achievement in couples that were infertile due to male factors. Researchers studied 325 infertile men between the ages of 27-40, who had been diagnosed with either idiopathic or varicocele-associated infertility. The subjects were randomized into three groups: 118 men in Group 1 were given a placebo; Group 2, consisting of 101 men, used oral L-carnitine and acetyl-L-carnitine; and Group 3, with 106 men, took the carnitines plus a nonsteriodal anti-inflammatory drug. Data were collected before therapy, three and six months into therapy, and three months after therapy ended. Natural pregnancies achieved during the observation period of nine months were recorded.
Results: Three-fourths of the patients taking the carnitines in the study had significantly increased sperm patterns at three and six months into therapy. In contrast, there was no modification of sperm patterns in the group taking the placebo. All sperm patterns fell to baseline after therapy was suspended.
Source: J Andrology, 2004;25:761-770.
Research: The objective of the study was to test the hypotheses that carnitines or carnitines plus a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug could improve sperm patterns and natural pregnancy achievement in couples that were infertile due to male factors. Researchers studied 325 infertile men between the ages of 27-40, who had been diagnosed with either idiopathic or varicocele-associated infertility. The subjects were randomized into three groups: 118 men in Group 1 were given a placebo; Group 2, consisting of 101 men, used oral L-carnitine and acetyl-L-carnitine; and Group 3, with 106 men, took the carnitines plus a nonsteriodal anti-inflammatory drug. Data were collected before therapy, three and six months into therapy, and three months after therapy ended. Natural pregnancies achieved during the observation period of nine months were recorded.
Results: Three-fourths of the patients taking the carnitines in the study had significantly increased sperm patterns at three and six months into therapy. In contrast, there was no modification of sperm patterns in the group taking the placebo. All sperm patterns fell to baseline after therapy was suspended.