Protective effect of L‐carnitine on apoptosis, DNA fragmentation, membrane integrity and Lipid peroxidation of spermatozoa in the asthenoteratospermic men

This in vitro study aimed to measure the ameliorative effect of L-carnitine against apoptosis, DNA fragmentation, membrane integrity and lipid peroxidation of spermatozoa from men with asthenoteratozoospermia (ATS). L-carnitine has an impressive effect on boosting the quality and quantity of spermatozoa and also can prevent apoptosis induction. For this purpose, semen samples were collected from 50 ATS men. Semen was divided into control and L-carnitine (0.5 mg/ml) groups at 2, 4, 6 and 24 hr. Concentrating on the reasons for apoptosis is an arduous process, but in the present research for this evaluation, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), DNA fragmentation by TUNEL and SCD methods, and lipid peroxidation were carried out. Also, sperm viability was performed. In the control group, MDA levels were increased significantly at 6 hr; however, sperm viability was decreased significantly at 4 and 6 hr. Moreover, in the L-carnitine group, TUNEL, SCD and MDA levels were decreased significantly and MMP and viability were increased significantly compared with the control group. In this writers' view, in vitro L-carnitine treatment can downregulate apoptosis in men with ATS.