Protective effect of polysaccharides from Lycium barbarum on spermatogenesis of mice with impaired reproduction system induced by cyclophosphamide.

Abstract

Lycium barbarum (L. barbarum) polysaccharides (LBPs) are the main bioactive component. However, effect of LBP on spermatogenesis of mice with impaired reproduction system induced by cyclophosphamide is undetermined. This study aims to investigate the effect of LBP on spermatogenesis of rats with impaired reproduction system induced by cyclophosphamide. Kunming mice were randomly divided into five groups as follows: normal control group, model group (treated with cyclophosphamide) and three LBP groups (treated with cyclophosphamide and 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6g/kg LBPs, respectively). Results indicate that LBP treatment improved sperm density, sperm movement, the rate of normal sperm morphology, and protein expression and superoxide dismutase activity in the testes of the mice and decreased the nitrate nitrogen level in the testes of the mice. LBPs have obviously protective effect on the spermatogenesis of rats with impaired reproduction system induced by cyclophosphamide.