Effect of L-carnitine and meloxicam treatment on testicular leydig cell numbers of varicocelized rats

ObjectiveVaricocele is a pathobiological condition associated with abnormal tortuosity and dilatation of the veins of the pampiniform plexus within the spermatic cord; it is one of the leading causes of male infertility. Although several studies have considered the relationship between varicocele and semen L-carnitine concentrations, no study on the effects of L-carnitine on testicular number of Leydig cells which are important in fertility of the individual has been reported.DesignProspective study.SettingInstitute of the Embryo Research and Infertility Treatment, College of Medicine, AL-Nahrain University.Materials and methodsThirty male albino Wister rats divided into three groups, 10 animals each. The groups A and B underwent a left experimental varicocele induction. Group C was not operated on and served as control. Animals in group A (Treatment group) were treated with L-carnitine twice daily and meloxicam once every four days. Group B (Placebo group) and C (Control group) received placebo and distilled water, respectively; using the same treatment program of group A. Treatment in all cases was given orally by oral cavage, and continued daily for 12 weeks. At the end of treatment rats were sacrificed. Serial histological sections were then prepared and examined microscopically for number of testicular leydig cells.Main outcome measureThe number of Leydig cells was used to evaluate testicular changes:ResultsHistological examination shows new findings of significant improvement of decrease in the number of leydig cells (P < 0.05) in treatment groups as compared to placebo.ConclusionIt is concluded that L-carnitine plus meloxicam treatment appears to have a beneficial effect in decreasing, restoring and maintaining the number of testicular leydig cells in experimental varicocelized rats close to that control of non-varicocelized rats.