Can a common breast cancer drug and a supplement boost sperm quality?
NCT ID NCT07669402
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jul 01, 2026 · Updated 3 times
Summary
This study tested whether letrozole (a drug that lowers estrogen) and L-carnitine (a natural supplement) could improve sperm quality in 90 men with unexplained infertility. Participants took one of the treatments or a combination for three months. The goal was to see changes in sperm count, movement, and shape, as well as markers of oxidative stress. Results could lead to new, non-invasive fertility treatments.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Letrozole and L-carnitine
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could point toward a simple, drug-based way to improve sperm quality and fertility outcomes in men with unexplained infertility.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-phase trial (90 men) with short treatment duration. Results may not apply to all men, and benefits may be modest or not lead to higher pregnancy rates.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Phase 2/3
Runs two stages together: whether the treatment works, then large-scale confirmation.
- Participants
-
90 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Dec 2023
- Finished
-
Mar 2026
- Lead sponsor
-
Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
20 to 45 years
- Sex
-
Male participants only
- Healthy volunteers
-
Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: Diagnosis of idiopathic oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (iOAT) per WHO 2021 criteria Age 20 to 45 years BMI between 18 and 30 kg/m² No prior hormonal therapy or antioxidant supplements within the last 3 months Exclusion Criteria: Varicocele, cryptorchidism, or genital tract infection Hormonal disorders (hypogonadism, hyperprolactinemia, thyroid dysfunction) Smoking, alcohol use, or drug abuse Use of testosterone or anabolic steroids within the last 6 months Female partner with severe infertility factors (age ≥40, tubal blockage, severe endometriosis)
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences
Tehran, 1417613151, Iran
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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