title: [Effects of bushen zhuyun decoctlon on the reproductive capacity of mice: an experimental research].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the effects of Bushen Zhuyun Decoction (BZD) on the reproductive capacity of mice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Totally 60 female Kunming mice were randomly divided into the experimental group and the control group. BZD was perfused by gastric tube to mice in the experimental group, twice daily. Meanwhile, mice in the control group were administered with normal saline by gastrogavage. Mice were sacrificed on the 10th day and the 20th day of medication respectively, 15 mice each time in each group. The serum levels of estradiol and progesterone were detected by radioimmunoassay. The morphological changes of uterus and ovary were observed using HE staining. The expressions of leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF), epidermal growth factor (EGF), and calcitionin (CT) were determined using immunohistochemical assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with the control group at the same time point, the weights of uterus and ovary increased, the serum levels of estradiol and progestogen increased, the expressions of LIF, CT, and EGF increased in the experimental group on the 10th day and the 20th day of medication (P <0.05, P <0.01). Better results were shown on the 20th day of medication (P <0.05). Histological results showed increased ovarian follicle numbers, increased endometrial gland numbers, endometrial hyperplasia (stratiform arranged), and increased stromal cells in the experimental group, especially on the 20th day of medication.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  BZD could improve the reproductive capacity by advancing the development of generative organs, promoting the secretion of estradiol and progestogen and the follicular growth, and increasing the receptivity of endometrium.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Auxiliary Human Reproduction, Shengjing Hospital Affiliated to China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, China.
authors.forename: Xiao-ni
authors.initials: XN
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Ya-xuan
authors.initials: YX
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Ji-hai
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Ji-chun
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Tan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004717:Endometrium / Q000378:metabolism*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D009929:Organ Size; D010053:Ovary / Q000187:drug effects*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000378:metabolism; D014599:Uterus / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol