Effects of lignans on spermatogenesis in mice exposed to lead acetate

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.