Cover
Vol. 2 No. 1 (2012)

Published: June 30, 2012

Pages: 35-39

Research Article

Effect of L-carnitine administered to pregnant mice on some reproductive properties of their male offspring

Muhammad-Baqir M-R. Fakhrildin 1
1Department of Clinical Reproductive Physiology, High Institute of Infertility Diagnosis and ART, Al-Nahrain University, Baghdad, Iraq
History
  • Received: March 1, 2012
  • Available Online: June 1, 2012

Abstract

Background: Carnitines are widely distributed in nature and their potential health benefits have been popularized. The carnitines exert a substantial antioxidant action. It is often sold as a nutritional supplement. The use of carnitine showed some promise in treatment of male infertility. Objectives: This study was designed to investigate the effects of L-carnitine (LC) administered to pregnant mice on some reproductive parameters of male offspring. Methods: Ninety mature male offspring mice (age: 6 weeks) were divided originally into two groups depending on the pregnant mothers were administered either 0.5 mg/Kg L-carnitine (Treated group) or distilled water (Control group) throughout pregnancy period. Whole body and testicular weight, diameter of seminiferous tubules, thickness of spermatogenic cell layers, levels of serum gonadotropins and sperm parameters were assessed. Results: In the present study, weight of whole body and testes of the male mice offspring group where mothers treated with 0.5 mg/Kg L-carnitine throughout gestation period was significantly increased (P<0.05) as compared to the control group. Further, significant increment (P<0.05) was observed in the thickness of spermatogenic cell layers and diameter of seminiferous tubules for the treated group as compared to the control group. Also, levels of serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing hormone (LH) in the treated group showed significant elevation (P<0.05) as compared to the control group. Sperm parameters for the treated group were enhanced significantly (P<0.05) as compared to the control group. Conclusion: Administration of low dose of L-carnitine to pregnant mice improved reproductive performance of male offspring. Further molecular studies are recommended to investigate the effects of L-carnitine administered to pregnant mice on quality and quantity of acrosomal enzymes for male offspring.

Keywords

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