Objective： To evaluate the effects of the Chinese herbal formula Wuzi Yanzong Pill （五子衍宗丸, WYP） on the spermatogenesis and specific secretory functions of Sertoli cells in rat model and to investigate the underlying mechanism. Me^ods： Five groups of male Sprague-Dawley rats including the control group, the model group, the low-dose WYP group, the medium-dose WYP group and the high-dose WYP group （5 in each group） were treated daily with vehicle, multiglycosides of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook f （GTW） either alone （20 mg/kg） or followed by WYP （0.5, 1.0, or 2.0 g/kg daily）, respectively for 30 days. Serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone （FSH）, inhibin B （INHB） and testosterone （r） were evaluated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Androgen- binding protein （ABP） gene expression and transferrin （TF） protein expression in testis tissue specimens of all rats were determined using real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting analysis, respectively. Histopathological alterations in the testis were determined using Johnsen＇s score. Results： The toxicity of GTW towards Sertoli cell secretory functions and spermatogenesis was accompanied by increased serum FSH concentrations and decreased INHB and T concentrations. Upregulated ABP mRNA levels, and decreased TF protein expression and Johnsen＇s scores were detected in the model group compared with the control group （P〈0.05 or P〈0.01）. Oral high-dose WYP administrations to GTW-treated rats effectively alleviated all of the GTW- induced changes in specific secretory functions of Sertoli cells （ABP, INHB and TF）. Furthermore, serum T level and Johnsen＇s score of the testis increased greatly compared with the model group （P〈0.01）. Conclusion： WYP has the ability to improve the spermatogenesis, possibly through modulating the secretory proteins expression of Sertoli cells.
Objective: To assess the effect of electroacupuncture(EA) on expression of cytoskeletal proteins from Sertoli cells(SCs) and spermatogenesis in rats with oligozoospermia of insufficiency of Shen(Kidney)essence syndrome(OIKES).Methods: Twenty healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to four groups using a random number table: control,tripterygium glycosides(TG) treatment,sham and EA groups(n=5 in each group).A rat model of OIKES was established by oral gavage with TG.The EA group was treated with TG and received EA at Shenshu(BL 23) and Zusanli(ST 36) acupoints for 20 min,once daily for 30 days,while the sham group received EA at identical acupoints with skin penetration without stimulation.After 30 days,the ?nal body weight and coef?cients for the testis and epididymis were calculated and sperm parameters were measured.Immunohistochemical analyses were performed to detect expression of vimentin and α-tubulin in SCs and proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA) immunoreactivity in germ cells.Apoptosis in germ cells was quanti?ed by the transferase biotin-dUTP nick end labeling assay.Results: Compared with the control group,the final body weight and testis/epididymis coefficients of rats in the TG-treated group were not significantly different,but the sperm count and motility were lower(P<0.05).Expressions of vimentin and α-tubulin were also signi?cantly weaker(P<0.01).The PCNA immunoreactivity of germ cells was decreased(P=0.059),whereas the apoptotic index of germ cells was increased signi?cantly(P<0.01).In contrast,EA at BL 23 and ST 36 acupoints signi?cantly improved the ?nal body weight as well as the sperm count,concentration and motility(P<0.01 or P<0.05).EA increased expression of vimentin and α-tubulin in SCs markedly,and signi?cantly enhanced PCNA immunoreactivity with decreased apoptosis in germ cells(P<0.01 or P<0.05).Conclusions: EA at BL 23 and ST 36 acupoints has protective effects on spermatogenesis in rats with OIKES.This effect seems to be achieved by attenuating TG-induced disrup
CUI Tian-weiQIN MaoLIU Bao-xingGAO Yun-xiaoMA Wen-jingZHANG Xiu-ping
