Seminal carnitine, epididymal function and spermatozoal motility

The carnitine content of semen from azoospermic subjects and subjects with either impaired motility or forward progression is reported. Within the azoospermic group, the values were not significantly different between those with testicular failure or obstruction. The patients with impaired motility (less than 40%) or impaired forward progression (less than 3) had a lower mean seminal carnitine content than those with good motility and forward progression (P less than 0.05). Seminal carnitine concentration was not an index of epididymal patency and could not be regarded as useful for locating the level of obstruction in the epididymis. Since carnitine plays an important role in the maturation process when sperm acquire motility, it would seem that seminal carnitine might be an indicator of epididymal dysfunction.