[Effect of glycosides of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook on the reproductive system and major organs of male rats]

Abstract

Spermatogenesis and turnover of basic nuclear protein synthesis in late elongated spermatids of rat testis were found to be significantly inhibited by glycosides of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook (T II) at a daily dosage of 10 mg/kg for 7 or 13 weeks and 20 mg/kg for 4 or 10 weeks. The number of spermatozoa in the epididymis was found to be reduced and the remaining spermatozoa deformed, showing head swelling, head and tail separation and severe curling of the middle piece. These changes differed from those effected by gossypol treatment. The formazan deposits of sperm mitochondrial enzyme reactions were also reduced. Activities of several enzymes in the heart, liver and kidney were not obviously affected, except for an enhancement of SDH activity in tissues of all 3 organs and ALP in renal tubules, with a slight decrease of ALP in the brush-borders of proximal renal tubules arising as an adaptation to T II toxicity.