Carnitine in Male Infertility

Carnitine is an amino acid derivative, mainly involved in lipid metabolism in eukaryotes, including mammals. Although frequently advertised as an efficacious treatment for many conditions, ranging from cardiovascular diseases to male infertility, there is little evidence for many of these claims. The role of carnitine in male fertility has been hypothesized based on its anti-apoptotic effects and its elevated concentrations in male genital tract. Several studies have addressed whether and to what extent carnitine supplementation is able to improve spermatogenesis. To the present date, it would seem that L-carnitine and acetyl-L-carnitine are both able to improve some sperm parameters, allowing their use in men with oligoasthenoteratozoospermia. Men who are about to start assisted reproduction techniques might also benefit from administration of both compounds, as some nonconventional sperm parameters, including chromatin condensation, and pregnancy rate seem to be improved by treatment.