Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 26, 2026
Mouse Round Spermatid Injection
Published on: January 26, 2024
[Effects of astragalus membranaceus injection on sperm abnormality in Cd-induced rats]
Peiyu Liang1, Haoyong Li, Xiaohui Peng
1Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital, Hainan Medical College, Haikou, Hainan 570102, China.
Objective:
To study the effects of astragalus membranaceus injection on sperm abnormality in Cd-induced rats.
Methods:
Thirty adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 5 groups: low concentration abstragalus membranaceus group(A1), high concentration astragalus membranaceus group(A2), cyclophosphamide group (CP), cadmium chloride group (Cd) and control group (C). Astragalus membranaceus injections 5 g/(kg.d) or 10 g/(kg.d) were given intraperitoneally to the rats of the A1, A2, CP and Cd groups. After 7 days, cadmium chloride(0.2 mg Cd/kg body weight) was administrated by intraperitoneal injection stimultaneously to the A1, A2 and Cd group rats. At 22 d after cadmium chloride induction, the rats were sacrificed and the testis coefficient, testicular sperm count, daily sperm production, epididymal sperm count and percentage of sperm abnorality were observed, and the testes and epididymides were studied pathologically.
Results:
Testis coefficient, testicular sperm count, daily sperm production and epididymal sperm count in the A2 group [(5.68 +/- 1.19), (49.01 +/- 8.78) x 10(6)/g, (10.25 +/- 2.30) x 10(6)/(g.d), (47.51 +/- 22.51) x 10(6)/ml] increased significantly compared with those of the Cd group [(3.11 +/- 0.16), (37.59 +/- 10.63) x 10(6)/g, (5.31 +/- 0.32) x 10(6)/(g.d), (10.89 +/- 2.45) x 10(6)/ml] (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The percentage of sperm abnormality in the A2 group [(7.04 +/- 0.12)%] decreased significantly compared with that of the Cd group [(17.81 +/- 1.55)%] (P < 0.01).
Conclusions:
As an antimutagen astragalus membranaceus has practical value in occupational protection against Cd-induced genetic damage.
Insights
Astragalus membranaceus injections significantly improved sperm count and reduced abnormalities in rats exposed to cadmium chloride. This suggests Astragalus membranaceus has protective effects against cadmium-induced reproductive toxicity.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Reproductive Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Cadmium chloride (Cd) is a heavy metal known to induce reproductive toxicity, including sperm abnormalities.
- Occupational exposure to cadmium poses a risk for male reproductive health.
- Astragalus membranaceus is a traditional Chinese medicine with potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the protective effects of Astragalus membranaceus injection against cadmium-induced sperm abnormalities in male Sprague-Dawley rats.
- To evaluate the impact of Astragalus membranaceus on sperm count, production, and abnormality rates following cadmium exposure.
Main Methods:
- Adult male rats were divided into five groups: control, cadmium chloride (Cd) only, cyclophosphamide (CP), low-dose Astragalus membranaceus (A1), and high-dose Astragalus membranaceus (A2).
- Rats received daily intraperitoneal injections of Astragalus membranaceus (5 g/kg or 10 g/kg) or CP for 7 days.
- Cadmium chloride (0.2 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally to A1, A2, and Cd groups concurrently with the injections.
- After 22 days, testis coefficient, sperm counts, daily sperm production, and sperm abnormality percentages were assessed, along with pathological examination of testes and epididymides.
Main Results:
- High-dose Astragalus membranaceus (A2) significantly increased testis coefficient, testicular sperm count, daily sperm production, and epididymal sperm count compared to the Cd group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).
- The percentage of sperm abnormality in the A2 group was significantly reduced compared to the Cd group (P < 0.01).
- Pathological examination revealed protective effects of Astragalus membranaceus against Cd-induced testicular damage.
Conclusions:
- Astragalus membranaceus exhibits significant protective effects against cadmium-induced sperm abnormalities and reproductive toxicity in rats.
- The high-dose Astragalus membranaceus injection demonstrated antimutagenic properties, suggesting its potential for occupational protection against cadmium-induced genetic damage.