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Updated: Jun 21, 2025
Busulfan as a Myelosuppressive Agent for Generating Stable High-level Bone Marrow Chimerism in Mice
Published on: April 1, 2015
Ursolic acid attenuates oligospermia in busulfan-induced mice by promoting motor proteins
Jin Dong1,2,3, Taowen Ye4, Yanli Dong4
1Center for Reproductive Medicine, Affiliated Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China.
Background:
Oligospermia is one of the most common reasons for male infertility which is troubling numerous couples of child-bearing age. This investigation scrutinizes the implications and mechanistic underpinnings of ursolic acid's effect on busulfan-induced oligospermia in mouse models.
Methods:
A singular intraperitoneal injection of busulfan at a dosage of 30 mg/kg induced oligospermia. Two weeks subsequent to this induction, mice were subjected to various dosages of ursolic acid (10, 30, and 50 mg/kg body weight, respectively) on a daily basis for four consecutive weeks. Following this treatment period, a meticulous analysis of epididymal sperm parameters, encompassing concentration and motility, was conducted using a computer-assisted sperm analysis system. The histopathology of the mice testes was performed utilizing hematoxylin and eosin staining, and the cytoskeleton regeneration of the testicular tissues was analyzed via immunofluorescent staining. Serum hormone levels, including testosterone, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone, as well as reactive oxygen species levels (inclusive of reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde), were gauged employing specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Differentially expressed genes of testicular mRNA between the oligospermia-induced group and the various ursolic acid treatment groups were identified through RNA sequencing analysis.
Results:
The results revealed that a dosage of 50 mg/kg ursolic acid treatment could increase the concentration of epididymal sperm in oligospermia mice, promote the recovery of testicular morphology, regulate hormone levels and ameliorate oxidative damage. The mechanism research results indicated that ursolic acid increased the expression level of genes related to motor proteins in oligospermia mice.
Insights
Ursolic acid effectively improved sperm concentration and motility in mice with oligospermia. This natural compound also restored testicular health and balanced hormone levels, offering potential for male infertility treatment.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Pharmacology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Oligospermia is a primary cause of male infertility affecting many couples.
- This study investigates ursolic acid's potential to counteract busulfan-induced oligospermia in mice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of ursolic acid in treating oligospermia.
- To elucidate the underlying mechanisms of ursolic acid's therapeutic effects on sperm parameters and testicular function.
Main Methods:
- Busulfan induced oligospermia in mice, followed by daily ursolic acid treatment (10, 30, 50 mg/kg) for four weeks.
- Assessed sperm concentration and motility, testicular histopathology, hormone levels, oxidative stress markers, and gene expression via RNA sequencing.
Main Results:
- Ursolic acid (50 mg/kg) significantly increased epididymal sperm concentration and motility.
- Treatment promoted testicular morphology recovery, normalized hormone levels, and reduced oxidative damage.
- Mechanism analysis revealed ursolic acid upregulates genes associated with motor proteins.
Conclusions:
- Ursolic acid demonstrates therapeutic potential for oligospermia by improving sperm parameters and testicular function.
- The compound may exert its effects by modulating motor protein gene expression and mitigating oxidative stress.
