Comparison of L-Carnitine and Vitamin E vs. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) for Asthenozoospermia in Male Infertility

Open Access

Abstract

Background: Asthenozoospermia, which is primarily brought on by seminal oxidative stress, is one of the primary reasons of idiopathic male infertility. This study evaluates and compares the efficacy of L-carnitine plus vitamin E against Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) supplementation in improving sperm parameters in infertile males with asthenozoospermia. Methods & Materials: A quasi-experimental study was conducted over a one-year period at the Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility unit of Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Sixty infertile men with asthenozoospermia were enrolled and divided equally into two groups. Group A (n=30) received L-carnitine (330 mg) and Vitamin E (200 mg) twice daily, while Group B (n=30) received CoQ10 (100 mg) twice daily for 12 weeks. Semen analyses were performed at baseline, 1 month, and 3 months. Data were analyzed using independent t-tests and repeated measures ANOVA via SPSS version 26. Results: Baseline demographic and semen parameters were statistically similar between both cohorts. Following 3 months of treatment, Group A demonstrated significantly higher total sperm motility (42.8 ± 3.0% vs. 41.1 ± 2.5%, p = 0.018) and progressive motility (36.9 ± 2.5% vs. 33.8 ± 3.3%, p < 0.001) compared to Group B. Furthermore, the total sperm count was significantly higher in Group A (58.7 ± 6.1 million) than in Group B (53.8 ± 6.0 million) (p = 0.002). Non-progressive motility also decreased more significantly in Group A (5.9 ± 2.0%) than in Group B (7.2 ± 1.8%, p = 0.011). Both groups exhibited highly significant intra-group improvements from their respective baselines (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Both antioxidant regimens were successful in improving semen parameters; however, in men with asthenozoospermia, the combination of L-carnitine and vitamin E was much more efficient than CoQ10 monotherapy in increasing total sperm motility, progressive motility, and total sperm count.