Effect of Qiangjing Gushen decoction on male reproductive function of heat stress rats

ZHANG Qi; HE Zhiying; DONG Jiaqi; WANG Yidong; GAO Juntao

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1002-266X.2016.09.006

Abstract：Objective To observe the protective effect of Qiangjin Gushen decoction on the heat stress-induced altered male reproductive function in rats and to investigate its possible mechanism .Methods Sixty male clean degree Wistar rats were randomly divided into the control group , model group, zinc sulfate group, low-dose, medium-dose and high-dose Qiangjing Gushen decoction groups which were orally administered with normal saline , normal saline, zinc sulfate, Qiangjin Gushen decoction 1000 mg/kg, 2000 mg/kg and 4000 mg/kg respectively for 30 d followed by exposure to heat 42℃, 1 h/d for 14 days (except for the control group ).Sex ability was observed including the capture incubation period (CIP) and the capture time (CT).On the 7th and 14th of heat stress, we detected the number of sperm count and sperm deformity rate.Meanwhile , the superoxide dismutase ( SOD) and malondialdehyde ( MDA) in the serum and testicular tissues were detected.Results Compared with the model group, on the 7th and 14th of heat stress, CIP of rats was shortened, CT was increased , the number of sperm count was increased and sperm deformity rate was decreased , the activity of SOD in the serum and testicular tissues was increased and the level of MDA in the serum and testicular tissues was decreased in the medium-dose and high-dose Qiangjing Gushen decoction groups (all P<0.05).All the above indexes had no significant statistical difference between the control group and the high-dose Qiangjing Gushen decoction group (all P>0.05).Con-clusion Qiangjing Gushen decoction can improve the male reproductive function of heat stress rats , and its mechanism may be related to the reduced oxidative damage of germ cells .