The effect of adding L-Carnitine to the GnRH-antagonist protocol on assisted reproductive technology outcome in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome: a randomized clinical trial

Figures & data

Figure 1. Flowchart of participants’ allocation, treatment, follow-up, and analysis.

Table 1. Basic characteristics of ‘L-Carnitine’ group versus control group.

Variable	L-Carnitine group n = 41	Control group n = 39	p value
Female age (year)	30.00 ± 5.01	31.57 ± 4.70	.154*
Male age (year)	32.00 ± 6.86	33.95 ± 5.09	.153*
Duration of infertility (year)	5.92 ± 2.94	5.95 ± 3.95	.611**
Type of infertility
Primary	35 (85.3)	35 (89.7)	.100***
Secondary	6 (14.7)	4 (11.3)
AMH (ng/ml)	7.22 ± 3.10	7.23 ± 3.45	.718**
FSH (IU/L)	5.79 ± 2.10	5.47 ± 2.02	.490*
LH (IU/L)	9.39 ± 5.85	10.09 ± 6.51	.613**
Total testosterone (ng/mL)	1.01 ± 0.36	0.91 ± 0.37	.913*
BMI (kg/m2)	28.06 ± 3.38	28.22 ± 3.33	.832*
AFC	23.92 ± 9.19	22.65 ± 9.06	.500**

Data are presented as mean ± SD and number (%). ‘L-Carnitine’ group versus control group using * Student's t test; **Mann–Whitney U-test; ***; Chi-squared test. AMH: Anti mullerian hormone; FSH: Follicle stimulating hormone; LH: Luteinizing hormone; BMI: Body mass index; AFC: Antral follicle count.

Table 2. ART cycle characteristics of ‘L-Carnitine’ group versus control group.

Variable	L-Carnitine group n = 41	Control group n = 39	p value
Duration of stimulation (day)	10.24 ± 2.39	9.53 ± 2.01	.084**
Total gonadotropin dose (IU)	1837.13 ± 599.44	1635.02 ± 422.05	.083**
No. of retrieved oocytes	14.35 ± 9.55	12.37 ± 5.43	.817**
No. of MII oocytes	11.70 ± 8.24	11.22 ± 4.86	.754*
No. of 2PNs	8.27 ± 6.86	8.67 ± 4.53	.237**
No. of obtained embryos	6.42 ± 5.63	6.95 ± 3.50	.162**
No. of transferred embryos	1.83 ± 0.37	1.92 ± 0.27	.268**
E2 levels on trigger day (pg/mL)	2974.67 ± 1945.65	1954.62 ± 775.68	.010**
Endometrial thickness (mm)	8.90 ± 2.09	7.56 ± 1.67	.161**
OHSS development	10 (24.3)	8 (20.5)	.790***

Data are presented as mean ± SD and number (%). ‘L-Carnitine’ group versus control group using * Student's t test; **Mann–Whitney U test; ***; Chi-squared test. ART: Assisted reproductive technology; MII: Metaphase II; 2PN: 2 pronuclear; E2: Estradiol; OHSS: Ovarian hyper-stimulation syndrome.

Table 3. ART outcomes of ‘L-Carnitine’ group versus control group.

Variable	L-Carnitine group n = 41	Control group n = 39	p value
Oocyte maturity rate	0.85 ± 0.38	1.02 ± 0.90	.280*
Fertilization proportion	0.62 ± 0.44	0.80 ± 0.86	.238*
Fertilization rate	0.70 ± 0.22	0.76 ± 0.19	.197*
Implantation rate	10/51 (18.1)	10/73 (13.7)	.488**
Chemical pregnancy rate	11 (26.8%)	12 (30.7%)	.427**
Clinical pregnancy rate	10 (24.3%)	10 (25.6%)	.357**

Data are presented as mean ± SD and number (%). ‘L-Carnitine’ group versus control group using * Student's t test; **; Chi-squared test. ART: Assisted reproductive technology.