ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the protective effect and the possible mechanism of Wenshen Shengjing Decoction (WSSJD)(including Cornu Cervi Nippon Parvum , Panax ginseng, Cynomorium songaricum, Cistanche deserticola,Radix Astragali, Epimedium brevicornum, Angelica sinensis.) on cyclophosphamide induced testicular oxidative damage in mice . Methods Eight-week-old male Kunming mice were assigned .Mice in normal control group received intraperitoneally nor-mal saline, and mice in Western medicine group ,WSSJD group and model group were injected intraperitoneally with cyclo-phosphamide [80 mg/(kg? d) ]for five days.Then mice in Western medicine group and WSSJD group were gavaged with clomifene citrate or WSSJD for 30 days consecutively .The epididymal sperm count and sperm viability were recorded , and the structure of seminiferous epithelium was observed .The content of malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH), and activities of glutathione peroxidase ( GSH-Px) and catalase ( CAT) in testicular tissue were detected .Immunohisto-chemical technique was used to detect the expression of survivin in spermatogenic cells .The apoptosis of spermatogenic cells in the testes was detected by TUNEL assay .Results Compared with model and Western medicine groups ,the epidid-ymal sperm count and sperm viability rate , the development of seminiferous epithelium , and the activities of GSH-Px and CAT significantly increased , while the MDA content significantly decreased in WSSJD group .The expression of survivin in spermatogenic cells was significantly improved .The apoptotic indexes of seminiferous tubules and spermatogenic cells significantly decreased in WSSJD group .Conclusion These results suggest that WSSJD can significantly improve the impaired reproductive function induced by cyclophospamide in mice by enhancing the antioxidative capability in testes and reducing the apoptosis of spermatogenic cells .