Condition
Idiopathic Oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (IOAT)
Idiopathic oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (IOAT) is a form of male infertility in which sperm are few, swim poorly and are often misshapen, with no cause found. A 2020 review of seven trials in 693 men found that L-carnitine taken with acetyl-L-carnitine improved forward sperm movement and pregnancy rates compared with placebo, though sperm concentration did not change.
Sources: PMID 31701550
- Supplements studied
- 1
- Graded outcomes
- 1
- Trials
- 1
- People studied
- 914
Evidence by supplement
- Strong
- Moderate
- Limited
- Very limited
Key findings
- Fertility
The Idiopathic Oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OAT Syndrome) protocol
2 primary supplements · 7 supporting supplements
- L-Carnitine / Acetyl-L-Carnitine2 g L-carnitine + 1 g acetyl-L-carnitine daily
- Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)200–400 mg daily
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Studies cited
12 studies from PubMed
- [Effect and safety of L-carnitine in the treatment of idiopathic oligoasthenozoospermia: a systemic review].
- The efficacy of combined l-carnitine and l-acetyl carnitine in men with idiopathic oligoasthenoteratozoospermia: A systematic review and meta-analysis
- Combination effect of Pentoxifylline and L-carnitine on idiopathic oligoasthenoteratozoospermia
- Carnitine for the treatment of idiopathic asthenospermia: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
- Safety and efficacy of clomiphene citrate and L-carnitine in idiopathic male infertility: a comparative study
- Oral carnitine supplementation increases sperm motility in asthenozoospermic men with normal sperm phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase levels
- Use of carnitine therapy in selected cases of male factor infertility: a double-blind crossover trial
- Placebo-controlled double-blind randomized trial on the use of L-carnitine, L-acetylcarnitine, or combined L-carnitine and L-acetylcarnitine in men with idiopathic asthenozoospermia
- Use of carnitine therapy in selected cases of male factor infertility: a double-blind crossover trial
- Does L-carnitine therapy add any extra benefit to standard inguinal varicocelectomy in terms of deoxyribonucleic acid damage or sperm quality factor indices: a randomized study
- Cinnoxicam and L-carnitine/acetyl-L-carnitine treatment for idiopathic and varicocele-associated oligoasthenospermia
- l-carnitine and l-acetylcarnitine supplementation for idiopathic male infertility.