Effect on Testosterone Production in Sprague-Dawley Rats of Gastrodia and Bee Pollen

Abstract

Objectives: We investigated the effects of Korean gastrodia and bee pollen on testosterone production in Sprague-Dawley rats. Methods: This study measured the body weight, consumption of food and water, and serum testosterone concentration in SD rats fed for four weeks with gastrodia and bee pollen. Results: The average body weights after four weeks were <TEX>$375{\pm}2g$</TEX> for the control group, <TEX>$358{\pm}3g$</TEX> for gastrodia consumption, and <TEX>$354{\pm}2g$</TEX> and <TEX>$367{\pm}8g$</TEX> for acorn pollen and Siberian gooseberry pollen, respectively. The average food consumption in SD rats over the four weeks in the control was 23.6 g for gastrodia consumption, 24.3 g and 24.9 g for acorn pollen and Siberian gooseberry pollen, respectively. The average water consumption over the four weeks was 38.33 ml in the control group, 35.0 ml for gastrodia treatment, and 33.3 ml and 33.3 ml for acorn pollen and Siberian gooseberry pollen treatment, respectively. The testosterone secretion levels in the serum of male rats were increased by gastrodia, acorn pollen, and Siberian gooseberry pollen (2.68, 3.00, and 3.28 pg/ml, respectively) compared to the control group (2.23 pg/ml). Conclusions: These results suggest that gastrodia or bee pollen may be developed as a complementary medicine to improve sexual hormone production.