Improving Oocyte and Sperm Quality by L-Carnitine, Acetyl-L-Carnitine and Other Nutrients as Major Determinant in Pregnancy Success

Pregancy success depends on a number of factors Amongst these are the genetic and epigenetic, immune, cardiovascular and metabolic amongst others. Reproductive process is sensitive to the nutritional state of the mother. The initial state and quality of the egg as well as the quality of the sperm must also be taken into account. The question is can we improve the probability of a healthy fetus and a successful pregnancy. We have been studying the role of metabolic, antioxidant and minerals in preclinical and clinical trials and our data as well as that of other researchers is showing that indeed we can positively influence both the egg and sperm quality as well as pregnancy rate. Improving genome stability and reducing toxicity and inflammation in endometriosis and preeclampsia etc.

Female 8 weeks old CD1 mice were divided into four groups of eight each. Treatment daily for 3 weeks by intragastric gavage. Group 1 - Control vehicle; Group 2 - Carnitines (L-carnitine 0.4 mg and acetyl-L-carnitine 0.12 mg per mouse); Group 3 - Microelements (Zinc: 4 ng, Copper: 0.8 ng, Iron: 7 ng per mouse); Group 4 - Microelements plus Carnitines (compounds of both group 2 and 3). After treatment superovulation was induced, oocyte collected to assess quality and quantity. To evaluate the preimplantation embryos development, in vitro fertilization (IVF) experiments were performed. Gene expression presently under investigation.

Mean number of oocytes was significantly higher in groups 2 and 4 versus control group. The number of oocytes in group 3 was not affected. The IVF experiments to establish numbers of fertilized eggs and developed embryos showed that more terated reached the blastocyst stage (86% versus 60%). The numbers of embryos arriving to successful birth was also increased.

These results support the evidence that L-carnitine, acetyl-L-carnitine and micronutrients are important for embryos development and may have some beneficial effect in both genesis and ovulation process. The success of a pregnancy is also increased.