Objective   To explore effects of astragalus membranaceus on sperm motility toxicity and lipid peroxidation of Cd induced rats.

  Methods   48 adult male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into four groups: low concentration astragalus membranaceus group(A₁), high concentration astragalus membranaceus group(A₂), cadmium chloride group(Cd)and control group(C).Astragalus membranaceus injections15, 10 g(kg·d)were administrated by intraperitoneal injection to the A₁ and A₂ group rats.After 7 days, cadmium chloride1014 mg Cd(kg·bw)was administrated by intraperitoneal injection to the A₁, A₂ and Cd group rats at the same time.The rats were sacrificed and sperms were isolated from the caudal epididymides of rats with diffusion method after the rats were induced by cadmium chloride at the eighth day.Effects of astragalus membranaceus on the motility of isolated sperms of rats were observed by computer-assisted sperm analysis(CASA)system.The activies of total superoxide dismutase(T-SOD)and the levels of malondialdehyde(MDA)in serum and testis of SD rats were determined respectively.

  Results   The motility parameters of sperms percentage of motility of sperms, VCL, VAP, ALH high concentration astragalus membranaceus injection group increased significantly compared with those of Cdnduced group(P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).the activies of total superoxide dismutase(T-SOD)and the levels of malondialdehyde(MDA)in high concentration astragalus membranaceus injection group had significant difference compared with those of Cd-induced group in serum and testis(P < 0.01).

  Conclusion   Astragalus membranaceus injection can antagonize Cd-induced rats sperm motility tox icity.The effects might be related with antagonising the free radicals by astragalus membranaceus.