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[Level of free L-carnitine in human seminal plasma and its correlation with semen quality].

AbstractOBJECTIVE:
To evaluate the difference of the free L-carnitine level in seminal plasma between fertile and infertile men and the correlation of free L-carnitine with semen quality, and to study the effect of L-carnitine on male fertility and its role in the evaluation and treatment of male infertility.
METHODS:
Semen samples of 230 infertile (normozoospermia, n=117, oligozoospermia, n=81, azoospermia, n=32) and 30 fertile men were collected and the level of free L-carnitine in seminal plasma and such sperm parameters as sperm concentration, motility and vitality, were determined by high performance liquid chromatography and computer-assisted semen analysis system, respectively. The results were analyzed with the SPSS 12.0 software.
RESULTS:
The level of free L-carnitine in the seminal plasma of the fertile men was significantly higher than that of the infertile (P < 0.01). The lower the sperm concentration, the weaker the sperm vitality, the more significant the difference. The level of free L-carnitine in the semen was positively correlated with sperm concentration (r = 0.521, P < 0.001), and sperm motility (r = 0.319, P < 0.001) and vitality (r = 0.251, P < 0.001).
CONCLUSION:
The level of free L-carnitine in seminal plasma, significantly correlated with sperm concentration, motility and vitality, can be taken as a biochemical index used as a guidance for the clinical treatment of male infertility as well as for the study on the mechanisms of male reproduction.
AuthorsKe Li, Wei Li, Yu-feng Huang, Xue-jun Shang
JournalZhonghua nan ke xue = National journal of andrology (Zhonghua Nan Ke Xue) Vol. 13 Issue 2 Pg. 143-6 (Feb 2007) ISSN: 1009-3591 [Print] China
PMID17345771 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
Chemical References
  • Carnitine
Topics
  • Adult
  • Carnitine (analysis)
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Humans
  • Infertility, Male (physiopathology)
  • Male
  • Semen (chemistry)
  • Sperm Count
  • Sperm Motility

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