The Potential Role Of Yangjing Zhongzi Decotion On Reproductive Function In Male Rats With Hypoxia

Objective:To explore the potential role of Yangjing Zhongzi decotion (YJZZD)on reproductive function in male rats with hypoxia in order to find out possible more applications of the drug.Methods: The total of 50 sprague-dawley(S.D) male rats were randomly divided into hypoxic,Wuzi Yanzong decotion(WZYZD),large-dose YJZZD and small-dose YJZZD and normal control groups . The experimental rat groups with hypoxia,WZYZD,large-dose YJZZD and small-dose YJZZD were kept in a hypobaric chamber simulating 5000m altitude for four weeks respectively, and then the general seminal parameters and sex hormones for the groups were measured by routine methods, finally the anti-apoptosis effect of YJZZD for spermatogenic cells on the hypoxia male rats were observed by means of optical and electron microscopy techniques and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUDP-nick end labeling(TUNEL) method.Results:1. Compared to normal group, hypoxic group significantly decreased in the sperm density , motility and viability(p<0.01), and increased in sperm deformity(p<0.01), while decreased in serum level of luteinizing hormone( LH) and testosterone ( T ) (p<0.01).2. WZYZD, large-dose YJZZD, small-dose YJZZD group significantly increased in the sperm density , motility and viability (p<0.01), and decreased in sperm deformity (p<0.05) and in serum level of LH and T (p<0.01) in contrast with hypoxic group. The those parameters above for the large-dose YJZZD group were statistically significance(p<0.01) compared with WZYZD one.3. In the hypoxic group, the histological analysis of the testes revealed a decrease in the height of the seminiferous epithelium, depletion of cellular elements in this epithelium. but the large-dose YJZZD group did not show these morphological features.4. In the hypoxic group, spermatogenic cell apoptosis was easy detectable by electron microscopy, but the large-dose YJZZD group was not detected. 5. The percentage of positive TUNEL cells in the hypoxic group was higher than that in other groups(p<0.01).Conclusions:1. Hypoxia injures the reproductive function of the male rats.2. YJZZD and WZYZD might improve reproduction in hypoxia male rats, as they significantly increase in the sperm density , motility and viability , and decrease in sperm deformity.3. YJZZD and WZYZD increase the serum level of LH and T .4. YJZZD and WZYZD may reduce the apoptosis number of spermatogenic cells and increase the number of spermatogenic cells.5. Compared to WZYZD, YJZZD had better effect.