Purpose: This study was undertaken to investigate efficacy of prophylactic L-carnitin usage to overcome eftects of ischemia on ovarian tissue in ovarian ischemiae resulted from adnexial torsions.

Animals and Methods: For this purpose, 14 Wistar type rat were used. Rats were divided into two groups. In the torsion model, ovaries was subjected to ischemiae for 2 hours. Intraperitoneal carnitine was started to be administrated 24 hours before torsion in the first group (Group 1). No medication was used for the other group.

Results: Histopathological examination of. removed ovarian tissue was carried out, using light microscopy, at the end of ischemiae period. Obtained results were compared with those of control group. While degenerative findings, such as hydropic swelling, were not observed in granulosa cells covering follicular area in the group treated with L- carnitine, hydropic swelling was apparent in the second group. No change was observed in stromal cells in the both groups. Difference between groups was statistically significant.

Conclusion: Carnitine given intravenously may reduce the eftects of ischemiae in tissue caused by torsion, even although there is a torsion in ovary in delayed diagnosis.