title: Effects of red ginseng extract on the epididymal sperm motility of mice exposed to ethanol.
abstract: The protective effects of red ginseng extract and ginseng wine against ethanol-induced male reproductive toxicity were evaluated in male mice using computer-assisted sperm analysis. Mice were divided into 4 groups of 10 and fed plain saline, 6 g/kg per d of ethanol in saline, red ginseng extract plus ethanol, or a fermented preparation of red ginseng extract daily for 5 weeks. We found that the average seminal vesicle weight was significantly lower in the ethanol-treated group compared to the control group, while those of the ginseng-treated groups tended to be higher than the ethanol-treated group. We found a significant decrease in sperm motility and progressiveness in mice treated with ethanol for 5 weeks, while administration of ethanol plus red ginseng extract appeared to minimize the negative effects of ethanol toxicity on male fertility. Serum testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) were insignificantly lower in the ethanol-treated group than in the control group.
authors.affiliation: Korea Ginseng Center for Most Valuable Products and Ginseng Genetic Resource Bank, Kyung Hee University, Seocheon-dong, Giheung-gu Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea.
authors.forename: Mi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jang
authors.forename: Jin-Woo
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Min
authors.forename: Jun-Gyo
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: In
authors.forename: Deok-Chun
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004822:Epididymis / Q000187:drug effects*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*; D005298:Fertility / Q000187:drug effects; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D036145:Ginsenosides / Q000032:analysis; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D005894:Panax / Q000737:chemistry*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects*; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D036145:Ginsenosides; D010936:Plant Extracts; D000431:Ethanol; D013739:Testosterone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone