Multiglycosides of Tripterygium wilfordii increase sperm apoptosis in male rats / 中华男科学杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of multiglycosides of Tripterygium wilfordii (GTW) on sperm apoptosis in male rats and its possible mechanisms.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixteen male SD rats were equally assigned to two groups to receive GTW and carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) intragastrically, both at 20 mg/(kg x d) for 6 weeks. Then the epididymal sperm was collected for the measurement of the apoptosis rate, sperm membrane lipid fluidity and the contents of NO, MDA and SOD by flow cytometry and spectrophotometric determination.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After 6 weeks of medication, the GTW group showed a significant increase in sperm apoptosis and contents of NO and MDA (P < 0.01) and a remarkable decrease in sperm membrane lipid fluidity (P < 0.05) and SOD content (P < 0.01) as compared with the CMC control group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>GTW can damage sperm membrane lipid peroxidation and sperm membrane structure, increase sperm apoptosis, and reduce sperm membrane lipid fluidity.</p>