[Initial observation on L-carnitine for asthenospermia with epididymal knob].

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy of L-carnitine on asthenospermia with epididymal knob.

METHODS

Thirty-five patients aged 25-39 years with asthenospermia with epididymal knob were received at our clinic of andrology from May 2003 to July 2004, and given oral L-carnitine 2 g/d for 3 months. The sperm parameters of the patients were analyzed by computer-assisted sperm analysis system before and after L-carnitine treatment.

RESULTS

Of the 32 patients who accomplished the 3-month L-carnitine therapy, only 4 remained unimproved in sperm parameters, while the other 28 were significantly improved in sperm concentration, forward sperm motility, total sperm motility, straight line velocity, curvilinear velocity and average path velocity. Four of the patients wives were pregnant and one patient fathered a child.

CONCLUSION

Oral L-carnitine therapy is efficacious for asthenospermia with epididymal knob.