Effect of L-carnitine on Lead-induced Infertility in Female Rats

Abstract

The correlation between lead toxicity and infertility was confirmed in many studies. The present study aimed to explore the effect of L-carnitine on the adverse effects caused by lead metal on female rat fertility. Animals were organized into four groups (negative control group, lead acetate positive control group (50mg/L), L-carnitine low dose group (50mg/Kg Bwt/day) and L-carnitine high dose group (100mg/Kg Bwt/day). After 21 day period of treatment blood samples were collected and female rat ovaries were excised for Estradiol quantitative estimation and CYP19a1 gene expression respectively, samples were collected related to the four phases of the estrous cycle. The results of the present study revealed that lead metal in a dose of (50mg/L) causes significant decreases (p<0.05) of CYP19a1 gene expression and estradiol hormone level. L-carnitine have an outstanding beneficial effects on the previous two parameters which increased by increasing the dose. Therefore, the potential of using L-carnitine to combat lead metal adverse effects on female infertility is very promising.