This study aims to reveal the effects and mechanisms of different fractions of Polygonati Rhizoma on the reproductive dysfunction in male mice with kidney essence deficiency due to excess of sexual intercourse. Fifty male ICR mice with good sexual function were selected and randomized into normal(NC), model(MC), n-butanol fraction of Polygonati Rhizoma(0.4 g·kg~(-1), HJCT), remaining fraction of Polygonati Rhizoma(0.4 g·kg~(-1), HJSY), and ultra-micro powder of Polygonati Rhizoma(1.0 g·kg~(-1), HJCW) groups. The Coolidge effect was used to induce excess of sexual intercourse in the mice, and a mouse model of reproductive dysfunction with kidney essence deficiency was established. The mice were administrated with corresponding drugs at the same time of modeling for 8 consecutive weeks. The anal temperature, grip strength, locomotor activities, weight-bearing swimming time, and sexual behaviors(catching, straddling, and ejaculation) were measured. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to measure the levels of testosterone(T), luteinizing hormone(LH), follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH), cortisol(COR), gonadotropin-releasing hormone(GnRH), and estradiol(E_2) in the serum and the content of fructose in seminal plasma. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining was employed to observe the pathological changes in the testicular tissue. The sperm quality was evaluated based on the density, viability, survival rate, and deformation rate of sperms. Western blot was employed to determine the expression of proteins involved in proliferation and apoptosis in the testicular tissue. The results showed that HJCT, HJSY, and HJCW significantly increased the grip strength, anal temperature, locomotor activities, weight-bearing swimming time, and sexual behaviors, elevated the serum levels of T, LH, GnRH, and E_2, lowered the levels of COR and FSH, and increased the wet weight of the testicular tissue in the model mice. In addition, they increased the density, viability, and survival and reduced the deformation rate of sperms, increased the content of fructose in the seminal plasma, alleviated the pathological changes and inhibited apoptosis in the testicular tissue in the model mice. HJCT was superior to HJSY and HJCW in ameliorating the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis(HPGA) disorder, enhancing sexual behaviors, and improving sperm quality. HJCW outperformed HJCT and HJSY in inhibiting apoptosis in the testicular tissue. In conclusion, HJCT, HJSY, and HJCW can improve the reproductive function and inhibit apoptosis in the testicular tissue of the male mice with kidney essence deficiency by ameliorating the HPGA disorder.
Keywords: Polygonati Rhizoma; apoptosis; excess of sexual intercourse; hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis(HPGA); kidney essence deficiency.