Epididymal Ultrasongraphic Findings in Asthenozoospermic Infertile Men and Correlation With Seminal Parameters and L.Carnitine Level

infertility is a relatively common problem affecting about15-20% of reproductive aged couples. Historically, the cause of infertility was falsified attributed to the female partner, while the male factor, which is either primary or a co factor in 40-60% of cases, has largely been ignored Thus, it is important to evaluate men at the same time with women.(2) The epididymis is an elongated structure, posterolateral to the testis within the scrotal sac. Its primary function is the collection, maturation and transport of sperm from rete testis to the ductus deferens.(1)(3) Testicular spermatozoa are nonfunctional and lack the ability to naturally fertilize an oocyte .After, spermatozoa reach the epididymis they undergo a complicated maturation process leading to biochemical, physiological and functional changes resulting in a functional spermatozo on that is able to successfully fertilize an oocyte (3)(4)(8) Sperm dysfunctions are recognised as the most significant cause of male infertility and many may think that sperm dysfunction is only as a result of defective spermatogenesis. However, it can also be the result of an inadequate epididymal maturation process due to improper epididymal function (6)(7)(8) Scrotal sonography is commonly used for evaluation of the infertile male. While abnormalities of the epididymis like( cysts and calcifications ) are frequently observed during sonographic assessment and their presence has uncertain importance (1)(10)(12)(13) Measurement of acetyl carnitine content of human seminal plasma could be used as a marker of epididymal maturation. Carnitine is present in the epididymis at higher concentrations than in other body tissues in the rat