OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Yishen Zhongzi Pill (YZP) on the sperm motility of Shen-essence deficiency syndrome (SEDS) patients.

METHODSTotally 144 patients were randomly assigned to the treatment group (71 cases) and the control group (73 cases). Ten cases dropped out during the therapeutic course. A total of 134 patients completed this clinical study, 67 in each group. Patients in the treatment group took YZP (6 g each time, twice daily), while those in the control group took Wuzi Yanzong Pill (6 g each time, twice daily). The therapeutic course for all was one month. Changes of the sperm motility, clinical efficacy, and Chinese medical symptoms scores were observed between the two groups before and after treatment.

RESULTSCompared with before treatment in the same group, percentages of class a spermatozoa and class a + b spermatozoa were enhanced in the two groups after treatment (P <0. 01). Besides, they were higher in treatment group than in the control group (P <0. 05). The total effective rate of the treatment group was 77. 61 % (52/67 cases), while it was 58. 21 % (39/67 cases) in the control group. It was better in the treatment group than in the control group (Z= -2. 914, P =0. 004). Compared with before treatment in the same group, scores for Chinese medical symptoms decreased in the two groups (P <0. 01). The difference of pre-post integrals was higher in the treatment group than in the control group (P <0. 01).

CONCLUSIONYZP showed favorable effect in treating asthenospermia patients with SEDS and could effectively elevate the motility of sperm.