Abstract:

Objective: To study the effect of total ginsenosides from ginseng stems and leaves (TGSL) on the reproductive
system of juvenile male rats and its mechanism. Methods: Forty SD rats were randomized into control group and three
administration groups. The administration groups and control group were given TGSL at high, middle and low doses and
water by intragastric administration, respectively. After administration for two weeks, testosterone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT),
luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), testis weight, body weight, testis weight coefficient and
sperm density were tested. The difference in serum components between high dose group and control group was compared
by HPLC. TGSL and serum from the high-dose group were added into the culture medium of rat leydig cells, respectively, at
volume fractions of 0 (control group), 5%, 10% and 15%. Leydig cell viability and vitality, the content of testosterone in cell
culture medium and intracellular cAMP were measured. The content of testosterone was tested by radioimmunoassay. DHT,
FSH, LH and intracellular cAMP were measured by ELISA. Cell viability and vitality of cultured rat leydig cells were tested
by placenta blue staining and MTT assay. Finally, SPSS software was used to analyze the differences among different groups.Results: The contents of testosterone and DHT in serum and sperm density of three administration groups significantly reduced in a dosedependent
manner by total ginsenosides (P ＜ 0.01). Compared with the control group, testis weight (P ＜ 0.05) and the increase of rat
body weight (P ＜ 0.01) in the administration groups significantly decreased, but the contents of LH and FSH (P ＜ 0.01) in serum and
testis weight coefficient (P ＜ 0.05) in the administration groups significantly increased. Five compounds were detected in the serum from
the high dose group with HPLC, but were not observed in the serum from the control group. The secretion of testosterone and intracellular
cAMP in leydig cells could be inhibited by TGSL and TGSL-containing serum. Conclusion：TGSL may reduce the generation of
testosterone in serum of juvenile male rats through PKA pathway to inhibit testicular development and sperm production, and then affect
the growth and development of the reproductive system of juvenile male rats.

Key words: total ginsenosides from ginseng stems and leaves, testosterone, spermatozoa, luteinizing hormone, folliclestimulating hormone