Abstract: ObjectiveTo study effects of lignan on spermatogenesis and its mechanism in mice with lead acetate exposure.MethodsSixty Kunming male mice were randomly divided into a control group,model group,positive drug group,and lignans group.Except for those in the control group,all the mice were injected lead acetate for 10 days at the dosage of 40 mg·kg^-1·d^-1 to establish spermatogenesis disorder model; two days after lead acetate injection,the mice in positive drug group were treated with human chorionic gonadotropin(500 IU·kg^-1·d^-1) via intraperitoneal injection and those in lignans group were given lignans(200 mg·kg^-1·d^-1) via gavage; the mice in the control group and model group were given normal saline; the experiment lasted for 30 days.Twenty-four hours after the last treatment,all the mice were sacrificed and testis and epididymis of the mice were sampled.Superoxide dismutase(SOD),lactate dehydrogenase(LDH),Mg²⁺ ATP enzyme and Ca²⁺ ATP enzyme in testicular tissue were detected and sperm viability was compared between the groups and the morphology of testicular tissue were observed with hematoxylin-eosin staining.ResultsCompared with the control group,sperm motility was reduced; SOD,Mg²⁺ ATPase and Ca²⁺ ATPase contents were decreased; and LDH level was increased for the mice of the model group(P<0.05,P<0.01).Compared with the model group,sperm motility was increased,the level of SOD was increased,and that of LDH was decreased in the mice of lignans group(P<0.05,P<0.01).ConclusionLignans could protect spermatogenesis from lead acetate-induced damages in mice and the mechanism of the effect may related to anti-oxidativation of lignans.