Effect of Guilu Taohong Formula on semen quality and spermatogenic cell apoptosis in a varicocele model of rats
10.13263/j.cnki.nja.2025.02.008
- VernacularTitle:龟鹿桃红方对精索静脉曲张模型大鼠精液质量及生精细胞凋亡的影响
- Author:
Biao WANG
1
;
Yang YANG
1
;
Ze-rui QIU
1
;
En-min FENG
1
;
Xiang ZHAO
1
;
Neng WANG
1
;
Xin HUANG
1
;
Qun-fang LIN
1
;
Qing ZHOU
1
Author Information
1. 湖南中医药大学第一附属医院男性病外科杂病一科,湖南长沙 410007
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
varicocele;
Guilu Taohong prescription;
cell apoptosis;
semen quality;
kidney deficiency and blood stasis;
rat
- From:
National Journal of Andrology
2025;31(2):150-156
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To observe the effect of Guilu Taohong Formula on semen quality in varicocele(VC)models of rats,and to explore its possible mechanism.Methods:Forty-eight male SD rats were randomly divided into four groups(sham group,model group,Guilu Taohong Formula group and L-carnitine group).After the establishment of models,the rats were treated with intra-gastric administration for eight consecutive weeks.The general condition of the rats was observed.After the gavage,the testicular and epididymal indices were calculated.Semen quality was assessed using an automatic semen analyzer.Apoptosis of testicular cells was assessed by TUNEL staining.And the expression levels of B-cell lymphocytoma-2(Bcl-2),Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax)and cys-teine aspartate protease-3(caspase-3)in testicular tissue were detected by Western blot.Results:Compared with the sham group,testicular index,epididymal index,sperm concentration,the percentage of progressive motility of sperm(PR％)and the expression level of Bcl-2 decreased in model group(P＜0.01).An increased apoptosis rate of spermatogenic cells and the expression levels of Bax and caspase-3 proteins were observed in model group as well(P＜0.01).Compared with the model group,the testicular index,epidid-ymal index,sperm concentration,PR％and the expression level of Bcl-2 in Guilu Taohong Formula group increased significantly(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).A decreased apoptosis rate of spermatogenic cells and the expression levels of Bax and caspase-3 proteins were de-tected in Guilu Taohong Formula group as well(P＜0.01).Similarly,the L-carnitine group showed increased testicular index,epidid-ymal index,sperm concentration,PR％and the expression level of Bcl-2 protein(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),where showed decreased ap-optosis rate of spermatogenic cells and the expression levels of Bax and caspase-3 proteins compared with model group(P＜0.01,P＜0.05).Conclusion:Guilu Taohong Formula improves semen quality in VC model rats and reduces the apoptosis rate of spermato-genic cells in testicular tissue,which may be related to the promotion of Bcl-2 protein expression and the inhibition of Bax and caspase-3 protein expression levels.
