L-carnitine supplementation to fertile and subfertile rams

Supplementation of L-carnitine (L-C) has a positive effect in improving the general energy and feed metabolism, thus influencing the reproductive processes in male animals. L-carnitine was supplemented for 2 weeks on a daily basis, to 2 groups of Rahmani rams (group l: normal fertile rams; and group 2: subfertile rams). Semen and serum samples were collected from all rams before (control) and after L-carnitine supplementation for assessment of semen quality, LH and testosterone concentration. An increase in the values of the studied semen parameters was observed in all rams. LH and testosterone concentration showed a significant increase in subfertile rams (after L-carnitine supplementation) together with a significant improvement in semen quality (sperm motility, % of alive spermatozoa, and sperm cells concentration). L-carnitine serves as a physiologically important energy substrate, supporting the synthesis and transport of ATP. It could be concluded that L-carnitine supplementation has improved the fertility of normal and subfertile rams. Increasing the sperm yield and improving the semen quality, especially in subfertile rams.