The Journal of Korean Medicine (대한한의학회지)
- Volume 25 Issue 4
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- Pages.90-94
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- 2004
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- 1010-0695(pISSN)
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- 2288-3339(eISSN)
Effects of Panax Ginseng on the Sperm Motility and Spermatogenesis in the SD Rat
- Choi Ga-Ya (Dept. of Oriental OB&GY, College of Oriental Medicine, Kyung Hee University) ;
- Cho Jung-Hoon (Dept. of Oriental OB&GY, College of Oriental Medicine, Kyung Hee University) ;
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Jang Jun-Bock
(Dept. of Oriental OB&GY, College of Oriental Medicine, Kyung Hee University) ;
- Lee Kyung-Sub (Dept. of Oriental OB&GY, College of Oriental Medicine, Kyung Hee University)
- Published : 2004.12.01
Abstract
Objective : This study was conducted to investigate the effects of Panax Ginseng (인삼) on the sperm motility and spermatogenesis in the male rat. Methods : We used 8-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats, and administered the extract powder of Panax Ginseng to 5 rats (treated group) and normal saline (control group) once a day for 28 days. We isolated their testes surgically, then observed the change of the body weights before and after administration of Panax Ginseng extracts and normal saline. We observed the weight of the testes, epididymis, vascular gland, and prostate. Also, we examined the total, normal motile sperm concentration, and the concentration of testicular catalase and peroxidase. Results : We found that the concentration of normal, motile sperm in the testes of the Panax Ginseng group showed a significant difference compared with the control group. The angiogenesis of the seminiferous tubule was increased and the increasement of the number of spermatogonia, primary and secondary spermatocyte was observed in the Panax Ginseng group through a microscope. The body weight, the weight of the testes, epididymis, prostate and the concentration of testicular catalase and peroxidase were higher in the Panax Ginseng group but showed no significant difference. Conclusion : This study shows that Panax Ginseng may have an effect on the morphology and motility of sperm, the important factor in male fertility, and can promote the concentration of antioxidants, catalase and peroxidase, which is the important factor in spermatogenesis.
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