Cynomorium songaricum induces spermatogenesis with glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) enhancement in rat testes.
OBJECTIVE
Cynomorium songaricum Ruprecht has been used in traditional Korean medicine to treat male infertility, including sexual dysfunction, by improving kidney function. Glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) produced by Sertoli cells induces the proliferation of undifferentiated spermatogonia. We investigated the effects of Cynomorium songaricum on sperm parameters and GDNF expression in rat testes.


METHODS
Sperm analysis, RT-PCR, and Western blotting assays were performed after administration of CS to 8-week-old male Wistar rats for 56 consecutive days (1.0g/kg/day, p.o.), the period of sperm formation in the rat.


CONCLUSIONS
The CS-treated animals showed significant increases in epididymal sperm count and absolute testes weights compared to the control group. CS also increased the expression of GDNF at both the mRNA and protein levels. These results suggest that CS may improve male fertility by enhancing spermatogenesis and GDNF expression.
Yang
Woong Mo
WM
Department of Prescriptionology, College of Oriental Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 1 Hoegi-dong, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea. comskp@khu.ac.kr
Kim
Ha Young
HY
Park
Soo Yeon
SY
Kim
Hyung-Min
HM
Chang
Mun Seog
MS
Park
Seong Kyu
SK
D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002452:Cell Count; D002477:Cells / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D022082:Cellular Structures / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D031482:Cynomorium / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012708:Sertoli Cells / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D013093:Spermatogonia / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D013737:Testis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*
D012333:RNA, Messenger