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Updated: Dec 25, 2025
Mouse Round Spermatid Injection
Published on: January 26, 2024
[Efficacy of Yu Si Granules on methyl methanesulphonate-induced oligoasthenozoospermia in mice]
Tie-Liang Ma1, Zhi-An Tan1, Bin Qiao1
1Department of Andrology, Yixing People's Hospital, Yixing, Jiangsu 214200, China.
Objective:
To investigate the effect and action mechanism of Yu Si Granules (YSG) in the treatment methyl methanesulphonate (MMS)-induced oligoasthenozoospermia (OAZ) in mice.
Methods:
Thirty adult male mice were randomly divided into three groups of equal number, normal control, OAZ model control and YSG intervention. The OAZ model was established by oral administration of MMS and the model mice in the YSG intervention group were treated intragastrically with YSG suspension at 0.144 g/100 g of the body weight per day for 48 successive days. Then, all the mice were sacrificed and their epididymides harvested for detection of the sperm count and motility, observation of the morphology of the seminiferous tubules by HE staining, determination of the expressions of the germ cell-, sperm cell-, spermatocyte-, Sertoli cell- and blood-testis barrier-related genes by RT-PCR, and measurement of the levels of oxidative stress in the blood.
Results:
Compared with the normal control, the OAZ model mice showed significantly decreased sperm count (［49.2 ± 0.7］ vs ［23.6 ± 0.4］ ×107/ml/g, P < 0.05) and sperm motility (［76.3 ± 0.7］% vs ［5.0 ± 5.8］%, P < 0.05), which were both remarkably increased after YSG intervention (［38.4 ± 0.5］ ×107/ml/g and ［71.5 ± 0.5］%) (P < 0.05). The OAZ model mice also exhibited degenerated and atrophic seminiferous tubules, thinner seminiferous epithelia, disorderly arranged cells at different levels, reduced number of sperm in the lumen and unclear layers of germ cells in the epididymis, while those after YSG intervention manifested regularly organized seminiferous tubules with orderly arrangement and clear layers. The expressions of the Vasa, Dazl and Snd1 genes were significantly decreased (P < 0.05), but not those of Gfra, Plzf, Stra8, Spo11, Sycp3, Sox9 and Vim (P > 0.05) in the OAZ model and YSG intervention groups as compared with those in the normal control group. The superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the serum was markedly reduced in the OAZ model mice as compared with that in the normal controls (P < 0.05) and increased again after YSP intervention (P < 0.05), but the opposite was the case with the expression of the superoxide anion.
Conclusions:
YSG can significantly reduce MMS-induced OAZ in mice, which may be associated with oxidative stress.
Insights
Yu Si Granules (YSG) effectively treat methyl methanesulphonate (MMS)-induced oligoasthenozoospermia (OAZ) in mice by improving sperm count and motility. This therapeutic effect is linked to the mitigation of oxidative stress.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Toxicology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Oligoasthenozoospermia (OAZ) is a condition characterized by reduced sperm count and motility, impacting male fertility.
- Methyl methanesulphonate (MMS) is a chemical agent known to induce reproductive toxicity, including OAZ in animal models.
- Yu Si Granules (YSG) is a traditional remedy with potential therapeutic applications in reproductive health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of Yu Si Granules (YSG) in treating methyl methanesulphonate (MMS)-induced oligoasthenozoospermia (OAZ) in a mouse model.
- To elucidate the underlying mechanism of YSG action in mitigating MMS-induced OAZ.
Main Methods:
- An OAZ mouse model was established using oral administration of MMS.
- Mice were treated with YSG suspension for 48 days, followed by assessment of sperm count, motility, and epididymal morphology.
- Gene expression related to germ cells, sperm, spermatocytes, Sertoli cells, and the blood-testis barrier was analyzed using RT-PCR. Oxidative stress markers in serum were also measured.
Main Results:
- Mice exposed to MMS exhibited significantly decreased sperm count and motility, along with degenerated seminiferous tubules.
- YSG treatment markedly improved sperm count and motility, restoring seminiferous tubule morphology.
- YSG intervention led to increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and reduced superoxide anion expression, suggesting a role in combating oxidative stress.
Conclusions:
- Yu Si Granules (YSG) demonstrate significant efficacy in ameliorating MMS-induced oligoasthenozoospermia (OAZ) in mice.
- The therapeutic benefits of YSG in OAZ may be attributed to its ability to reduce oxidative stress.
