Tier 1 — highest

Meta-analysis of the efficacy and safety of L-carnitine and N-acetylcysteine monotherapy for male idiopathic infertility

Xiaohong Ma, Yingying Yang, Shiguo Liu, Yuanshan Cui, Jitao Wu
Rev Int Androl 2025 23(1):1-12

Bibliography

PubMed
PMID 40350672
DOI
10.22514/j.androl.2025.004
Funding
Funding disclosure was not located in the indexed record reviewed; consult the source publication for the full funding statement.
Competing interests
Competing-interest disclosure was not located in the indexed record reviewed; consult the source publication for the full declaration.

Study snapshot

DesignSystematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
ModelHuman
Sample7 RCTs total; 3 NAC-versus-placebo trials
InterventionNAC or L-carnitine monotherapy versus placebo in idiopathic male infertility
DurationVaried
EndpointsSperm concentration; Motility; Morphology; Ejaculate volume; Hormones

What the study showed, in plain terms

2025 meta-analysis separately evaluating NAC and L-carnitine monotherapy for idiopathic male infertility.

Key findings

The NAC trial subset favored supplementation for several semen parameters, including ejaculate volume, concentration, motility and morphology.

What this study can and cannot tell us

Only three NAC trials contributed to the NAC comparison; semen parameters are surrogate outcomes and do not establish live-birth benefit.

Editorial review

Reviewed by the Biohack Blueprint research team

Last verified

Dr. Khaled Mahmoud, MBBChCritical Care Medicine, Longevity Science & Editorial Direction Dr. Amr Yasser, PhDCardiometabolic, Musculoskeletal, Gut & Bioavailability Dr. Abdulla Mostafa, PhDCellular Senescence, Neurological, Mitochondrial & Brain-Ageing Biology