Experimental study on effect of tonifying Kidney herbs on pituitary, ovary, and adrenal gland in androgen sterilized rats

Abstract

Objective: To observe the effect of tonifying Kidney herbs (TKH) on pituitary gland, ovary, and adrenal gland of androgen sterilized rats (ASR).Methods: ASR model was established by injecting testosterone propionate subcutaneously to Sprague-Dawley (SD) female rats of 9 days age. Morphological and endocrinological change of pituitary gland, ovary and adrenal gland in rats of 100–107 days old before and after feeding TKH extract were observed by light and electron microscope, cell cultures, immunohistochemical studies, and radioimmunoassay.Results: In the ASR groups, there were intracytoplasmic lipid drops, crinophagy, vacuole, and autophagy in pituitary gland, anovulation in ovary, and hyperplasia of reticular zone in adrenal gland. At the same time, serum follicular stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone decreased (P < 0.05-0.005) and serum testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone levels increased significantly (P < 0.01-0.001). These morphologiacl and endocrinological changes were all returned to normal range after the TKH treatment.