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Journal of Education, Health and Sport

L-carnitine supplementation in female infertility – is it working?
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L-carnitine supplementation in female infertility – is it working?

Authors

  • Paulina Laskus Międzyleski Szpital Specjalistyczny w Warszawie, ul. Bursztynowa 2, 04-749 Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0006-6882-8797
  • Jakub Przeradzki Międzyleski Szpital Specjalistyczny w Warszawie, ul. Bursztynowa 2, 04-749 Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0001-2941-6670
  • Katarzyna Rząd Międzyleski Szpital Specjalistyczny w Warszawie, ul. Bursztynowa 2, 04-749 Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0000-3611-7479
  • Aleksandra Borycka Państwowy Instytut Medyczny MSWiA w Warszawie, ul. Wołoska 137, 02-507 Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0002-5589-1827
  • Maria Kotulska Państwowy Instytut Medyczny MSWiA w Warszawie, ul. Wołoska 137, 02-507 Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0003-9111-6745
  • Zofia Potocka Państwowy Instytut Medyczny MSWiA w Warszawie, ul. Wołoska 137, 02-507 Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0008-7738-2795
  • Martyna Lichman Szpital Chirurgii Urazowej św. Anny, ul. Barska 16/20, 02-315 Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0007-5473-4973
  • Zuzanna Lubczyńska Szpital Grochowski im. dr med. Rafała Masztaka, ul. Grenadierów 51/59, 04-073 Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4860-2508
  • Barbara Jędrzejewska Powiatowe Centrum Zdrowia w Otwocku, ul. Stefana Batorego 44, 05-400 Otwock, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0002-2153-4311

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12775/JEHS.2023.36.01.001

Keywords

L-carnitine, fertility, acetyl L-carnitine, oocyte quality, in vitro fertilization

Abstract

Introduction and objective:

Infertility is estimated to affect around 15% of couples in reproductive age. Due to delayed decision about childbearing and unhealthy lifestyle it is increasing problem in many western countries. For that reason, people seek out supplements to enhance their fertility. L-carnitine is primarily known as a supplement often used by athletes to enhance exercise performance, but some reports suggest that L-carnitine may also have a positive effect on sperm and oocytes quality. The aim of this study was to summarize the published reports about L-carnitine impact on female fertility.

Brief description of the state knowledge

The primary mechanism of action of L-carnitine involves its role in the transport of long-chain fatty acids into the mitochondria of cells, where they are then metabolized in a process called beta-oxidation to produce energy. L-carnitine also have antioxidant properties, helping to protect cells from oxidative stress. It has also been suggested to play a role in modulating signaling pathways involved in metabolism, inflammation, and cellular growth and differentiation. Due to wide range of possible mechanisms of action L-carnitine is considered as a potential supplement for fertility.

Summary

The presented literature review suggests that L-carnitine has a promising effect on improving female fertility, especially when it comes to clomiphene citrate-resistant patients with polycystic ovary syndrome and in vitro fertilization. However, further studies are needed to confirm its role and exclude possible side effects of its use before it is routinely recommended for this indication.

Author Biography

Paulina Laskus, Międzyleski Szpital Specjalistyczny w Warszawie, ul. Bursztynowa 2, 04-749 Warsaw, Poland

Intern medical doctor

References

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Published

2023-05-31

How to Cite

1.
LASKUS, Paulina, PRZERADZKI, Jakub, RZĄD, Katarzyna, BORYCKA, Aleksandra, KOTULSKA, Maria, POTOCKA, Zofia, LICHMAN, Martyna, LUBCZYŃSKA, Zuzanna and JĘDRZEJEWSKA, Barbara. L-carnitine supplementation in female infertility – is it working?. Journal of Education, Health and Sport. Online. 31 May 2023. Vol. 36, no. 1, pp. 11-20. [Accessed 7 July 2025]. DOI 10.12775/JEHS.2023.36.01.001.
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Issue

Vol. 36 No. 1 (2023)

Section

Review Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2023 Paulina Laskus, Jakub Przeradzki, Katarzyna Rząd, Aleksandra Borycka, Maria Kotulska, Zofia Potocka, Martyna Lichman, Zuzanna Lubczyńska, Barbara Jędrzejewska

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

The periodical offers access to content in the Open Access system under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0

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