[Effect of saw palmetto extract on the reproductive function of male rats with chronic prostatitis]

To investigate the effect of saw palmetto extract (SPE) on the reproductive function of rats with chronic prostatitis (CP).

Forty male SD rats were equally randomized into groups A (blank control), B (blank control + SPE, C (CP model control) and D (CP model + SPE), and the CP model was made by injection of 1% λ-carrageenan solution into the prostate. The animals in groups A and C were gavaged with normal saline while those in groups B and D with SPE at 0.10 g/kg/d, all for 30 successive days. After drug withdrawal, the rats were mated with female ones in the ratio of 1∶1) and sacrificed 7 days later, their bilateral epididymides collected for detection of sperm count and motility. The numbers of pregnancies and fetuses were recorded and compared among different groups.

Compared with the rats in group A, those in group C showed a marked decrease in epididymal sperm motility (［68.01 ± 1.80］% vs ［62.59 ± 4.82］%, P < 0.05), but those in groups B and D exhibited no statistically significant difference (［67.69 ± 4.06］% and ［67.93 ± 3.39］%, P > 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in the count of epididymal sperm, rate of pregnancy and number of fetuses between group A and the other groups (P > 0.05).

SPE can improve the semen parameters of CP rats, and has no adverse effect on the rate of pregnancy and number of fetuses.