Abstract:Aspongopus chinensis was used for the intervention of damages caused by chronic manganese exposure to the reproductive system of male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats, and its mechanism of action was explored. The results showed that compared with the model group, the mating ability defined by the numbers of penile insertion, in the low-, medium-, and high-dose Aspongopus chinensis intervention groups was boosted by 2.65, 2.62, and 1.65 times, respectively. The corresponding ejaculation frequencies were increased by 2.01, 1.94, and 1.25 times, respectively, and the corresponding levels of serum testosterone were increased by 1.14, 1.22, and 1.23 times, respectively. The results suggested that Aspongopus chinensis could repair damages caused by chronic manganese poisoning to the reproductive function of rats. Meanwhile, the morphological structures of the testicular tissue of the Aspongopus chinensis intervention groups were obviously improved when compared with those of the model group. However, there was no significant improvement in the organ coefficient of the testis and epididymis, the sperm count, as well as other aspects of reproductive ability. Furthermore, compared with the model group, the total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) activity of the low-, medium-, and high-dose Aspongopus chinensis intervention groups was increased by 1.23, 1.54, and 1.60 times, respectively, and the corresponding total antioxidant capacities (T-AOCs) were increased by 1.28, 1.54, and 1.39 times, respectively. The results suggested that the protective effect of Aspongopus chinensis on reproductive injury in male SD rats was related to its antioxidant activity. This study provides a basis for the development of drugs to treat reproductive injury.
