Effects of Oral Supplementation of L-Carnitine or Coenzyme Q10 on Semen Characteristics, Testosterone and Antioxidant Levels in Barki Rams
Abstract: ABSTRACT:
L-carnitine was widely used to improve male fertility in human and some animals. Coenzyme Q10 (Co Q10) has the same properties as antioxidant and intracellular energetic substance. In the present work, three groups (each containing 3 Barki rams) were used as; control (group 1), orally supplemented with either 60 mg Co Q10 (group 2) or 1000 mg L-carnitine (group 3). Semen samples were collected weekly for 10 successive weeks. On the 11 week semen samples were intensively collected daily for 5 successive days. Portions of the semen samples were frozen and both the fresh and frozen semen were evaluated. Blood samples were collected and serum was obtained weekly to determine the levels of testosterone, total antioxidant and glutathione. Results indicated that administration of both CoQIO and L-camitine significantly improved the fresh semen characteristics and daily sperm production in Barki sheep especially during sexual exhaustion (ll1 week) with concomitant increase in the levels of testosterone, total antioxidant and glutathione. On the other hand, these additives accelerated the metabolic activity of frozen-thawed spermatozoa, via decreasing the vitality of spermatozoa and increasing their acrosomal reaction. In conclusion, L-carnitine and Co Q10 increased the sperm out gain of rams and improved the semen characteristics in fresh semen samples, but they were not suitable for frozen semen. Key words: Coenzyme Q10- L-carnitine- sheep- semen- testosterone-cryopreservation.
Publication year 2006
Pages 323-336
Availability location معهد بحوث التناسليات الحيوانية
Availability number
Organization Name
Author(s) from ARC
Agris Categories Veterinary science and hygiene - General aspects
Proposed Agrovoc Coenzyme Q10- L-carnitine- she;
Publication Type Researsh & Applied Activities
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