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Theriogenology2004; 62(3-4); 761-777; doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2003.11.018

Effect of L-carnitine administration on the seminal characteristics of oligoasthenospermic stallions.

Abstract: The effect of orally administered l-carnitine on the quality of semen obtained from stallions with different semen qualities was investigated. Four stallions with proven fertility (high motility group, HM) and with normal seminal characteristics (>50% progressive motility and > 80 x 10(6) spermatozoa/ml), and four questionable breeders (low motility group, LM) with <50% of sperm progressive motility and < 80 x 10(6) spermatozoa/ml, received p.o. 20 g of l-carnitine for 60 days. Blood and semen samples were collected before treatment (T0) and after 30 (T1) and 60 days (T2). Semen evaluation were performed on five consecutive daily ejaculates (n = 120 ejaculates) and conventional semen analysis was carried out on each ejaculate, both at collection and after refrigeration for 24, 48, and 72 h. Furthermore l-carnitine, acetylcarnitine, pyruvate, and lactate concentrations, and carnitine acetyltransferase activity (CAT) were determined both in raw semen and seminal plasma. There were an increase in progressive motile spermatozoa only in the LM group (26.8 +/- 12.9, 39.1 +/- 15.5, and 48.8 +/- 8.6 for T0, T1, and T2, respectively). Free seminal plasma carnitine concentration was higher in the LM group compared to the HM one. Both pyruvate and lactate were higher in the LM group. Raw semen and seminal plasma carnitine and acetylcarnitine levels correlate positively with both sperm concentration and progressive motility; moreover, acetylcarnitine content was positively correlated with total motile morphologically normal spermatozoa. In conclusion, oral administration of l-carnitine to stallions with questionable seminal characteristics may improve spermatozoa kinetics and morphological characteristics; whereas, it seem to be ineffective in normospermic animals.
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Publication Date: 2004-07-01 PubMed ID: 15226028DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2003.11.018Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
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  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This study explores how the oral administration of l-carnitine can improve the quality of semen in stallions with poor seminal characteristics. The research found that, particularly in stallions with low motility semen, l-carnitine can enhance sperm movement and morphology, but does not show significant effect on stallions with normal seminal attributes.

Research Methodology

  • The researchers studied a total of eight stallions, half of which were fertile stallions with high sperm motility and normal seminal characteristics, while the other half were designated as ‘questionable breeders’ with low sperm motility and subpar seminal characteristics.
  • These stallions were given an oral dose of 20 grams of l-carnitine for a period of 60 days. Blood and semen samples of the stallions were collected before the experiment (T0), then after 30 days (T1) and lastly after 60 days (T2). This was done to assess the influence of the l-carnitine treatment over time.
  • The stallions’ semen was evaluated on five consecutive daily ejaculates (a total of 120 ejaculates), with a conventional analysis of the semen being carried out at collection and then again after being refrigerated for 24, 48, and 72 hours. This assessment method allowed for the observation of any changes in the seminal parameters over time.

Results Overview

  • At the end of the study, it was found that there was an increase in the count of progressive motile spermatozoa (sperm cells that move actively in a straight line) only in the low motility group. The progression followed this pattern: 26.8 +/- 12.9 (T0), 39.1 +/- 15.5 (T1), and 48.8 +/- 8.6 (T2). This highlights l-carnitine’s potential to improve sperm motility, especially in the cases of sub-optimal male fertility.
  • There were higher concentrations of seminal plasma carnitine, pyruvate and lactate in the low motility group compared to the high motility group. Pyruvate and lactate are substances involved in energy production, indicating a high metabolic activity in the low motility group compared to the high motility group. Increased levels of carnitine and acetylcarnitine, which are measure of sperm concentration and progressive motility, were positively correlated.
  • The level of acetylcarnitine, which is produced by the enzyme carnitine acetyltransferase, was also positively correlated with the total count of motile morphologically normal spermatozoa. This suggests that l-carnitine can positively influence sperm morphology.

Conclusions

  • The researchers concluded that l-carnitine can help improve the sperm motility and morphology in stallions with poor seminal characteristics when taken orally.
  • However, it was found to be ineffective in stallions with already normal sperm samples, highlighting that l-carnitine does not necessarily enhance seminal quality in all cases.

Cite This Article

APA
Stradaioli G, Sylla L, Zelli R, Chiodi P, Monaci M. (2004). Effect of L-carnitine administration on the seminal characteristics of oligoasthenospermic stallions. Theriogenology, 62(3-4), 761-777. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2003.11.018

Publication

Theriogenology
ISSN: 0093-691X
NlmUniqueID: 0421510
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 62
Issue: 3-4
Pages: 761-777

Researcher Affiliations

Stradaioli, Giuseppe
  • Department of Animal Production Science, University of Udine, via delle Scienze 208, 33100 Udine, Italy. giuseppe.stradaioli@uniud.it
Sylla, Lakamy
    Zelli, Riccardo
      Chiodi, Pierino
        Monaci, Maurizio

          MeSH Terms

          • Acetylcarnitine / analysis
          • Animals
          • Breeding
          • Carnitine / administration & dosage
          • Carnitine / analysis
          • Carnitine O-Acetyltransferase / analysis
          • Horse Diseases / drug therapy
          • Horses
          • Infertility, Male / drug therapy
          • Infertility, Male / veterinary
          • Lactic Acid / analysis
          • Male
          • Pyruvic Acid / analysis
          • Semen / chemistry
          • Semen / drug effects
          • Sperm Count
          • Sperm Motility / drug effects
          • Spermatozoa / abnormalities
          • Spermatozoa / drug effects
          • Spermatozoa / ultrastructure

          Citations

          This article has been cited 18 times.
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