[Effect of L-carnitine supplement on semen parameters in men with idiopathic infertility]

It is proposed that L-carnitine is a useful agent for treatment of various dysfunctions of sperm in infertile men. So, in the present study, effect of L-carnitine supplement on sperm parameters in men with idiopathic infertility was evaluated. Thirty infertile men, aged between 20 and 40 years, with the following baseline sperm selection criteria, including sperm count< 66.6 x 10[6], motility< 30%, viability< 60%, normal morphology< 35%, were studied. Patients received 3 gram per day L-carnitine for six months. Semen analysis was performed according to World Health Organization guidelines before study, and 3 and 6 months of therapy. Sperm parameters included liquefaction, pH, volume, sperm count, motility, viability and normal morphology. The results showed that L-carnitine supplementation increased significantly sperm count, motility, viability and normal morphogy and pregnancy rate after 3 months [p<0.01] and 6 months [p<0.001]. Also, L-carnitine supplementation increased sperm motility and viability in idiophatic infertile men after 3 and 6 months [p<0.001]. Five couples became pregnant during the study. The present study indicated that L-carnitine supplementation is an appropriate drug in the treatment of men with idiopathic infertility

[Effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of cucumis melo L. fruit skin on prevention of calcium oxalate crystallization in vitro]

Although several plants and procedures for treatment of kidney stone disease in Iranian folk medicine, Urolithiasis has been an important problem for patients, yet. Aim of present study, was the investigation of effect of Cucumis melo fruit skin hydro-alcoholic extract on calcium oxalate crystallization was studied in vitro. At first, hyro-alcoholic extract of plant at doses of 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 mg/ml were prepared. Urine samples were collected from 6 individual men without kidney stone history. The urine samples were centrifuged. Calcium oxalate crystallization was induced by adding sodium oxalate to urine samples. Then, number and size of calcium oxalate crystals were measured by spectrophotometer and calibration of ocular lens of light microscope in control [without plant extract] and experimental [in presence of different of doses plant extract] groups, respectively. Different doses of hydro-alcoholic extract of plant increased percent of small crystals [2.5-5 and 6-9 micro], while decreased percent of big crystals [17-21, 22-30, and 31-40 micro in comparison to control samples. On the other hand, the plant increased mono-hydrate calcium oxalate crystals in comparison to di-hydrate calcium oxalate crystals. Also, the extract increased number of calcium oxalate crystals. Present results showed that hydro-alcoholic extract of Cucumis melo fruit skin could facilitate kidney stones excretion by decreasing size of crystals. So, it could prevent formation of kidney stone primary nucleus

Effect of seminal plasma selenium concentration on semen parameters

Selenium is an essential trace nutrient for humans and animals. It is required for normal testicular development and spermatogenesis. In the present experimental study, correlations between seminal plasma glutathione peroxidase enzyme activity [as selenium status] and semen parameters are evaluated in 200 males. Semen analysis was performed according to World Health Organization guidelines. Totally, 200 males were subdivided into 5 groups as normospermic, oligospermic, asthenozospermic, azospermic and varicocele groups according to their spermograms. Plasma seminal glutathione peroxidase enzyme activity was determined by Kit [Randox, Germany]. The results showed that glutathione peroxidase enzyme activity is higher in normospermic than oligospermic, asthenozospermic, azospermic and varicocele groups. Meanwhile, there were an inverse significant correlations between glutathione peroxidase enzyme activity and plasma seminal fructose concentration, white blood cell, tail defects of sperm, coiled tail sperms and short tail sperms. On the other hand, the present data showed that there are positive correlations between vitality, sperm count, motility and normal morphology. The present study indicated that measurement of glutathione peroxidase enzyme activity as selenium status could be a good marker for evaluation of male infertility