title: Panax ginseng induces the expression of CatSper genes and sperm hyperactivation.
abstract: The cation channel of sperm (CatSper) protein family plays important roles in male reproduction and infertility. The four members of this family are expressed exclusively in the testis and are localized differently in sperm. To investigate the effects of Panax ginseng treatment on the expression of CatSper genes and sperm hyperactivation in male mice, sperm motility and CatSper gene expression were assessed using a computer-assisted semen analysis system, a Fluoroskan Ascent microplate fluorometer to assess Ca²⁺ influx, real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting and immunofluorescence. The results suggested that the Ca²⁺ levels of sperm cells treated with P. ginseng were increased significantly compared with the normal group. The P. ginseng-treated groups showed increased sperm motility parameters, such as the curvilinear velocity and amplitude of lateral head displacement. Taken together, the data suggest that CatSper messenger ribonucleic acid levels were increased significantly in mouse testes in the P. ginseng-treated group, as was the protein level, with the exception of CatSper2. In conclusion, P. ginseng plays an important role in improving sperm hyperactivation via CatSper gene expression.
authors: Eun Hwa
authors: EH
authors: Park
authors: Do Rim
authors: DR
authors: Kim
authors: Ha Young
authors: HY
authors: Kim
authors: Seong Kyu
authors: SK
authors: Park
authors: Department of Prescriptionology, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee Unversity, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Mun Seog
authors: MS
authors: Chang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000235:genetics*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D005894:Panax / Q000737:chemistry*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D015220:Calcium Channels; C488642:Catsper1 protein, mouse; D010936:Plant Extracts