Effects of Korean Red Ginseng Extract and Hydrogen-rich Water Mixture on Spermatogenesis and Sperm Motility in the Mouse Model

Objective: Male fecundity was majorly declined with aging due to age-related oxidative stress, et cetera. Natural therapies with herbal supplements have been increasing popularly as an option to treat male sub- or infertility. Hydrogen rich water (HRW)is a potent antioxidant and Korean red ginseng (KRG)has a various function including the improvement of spermatogenesis and sperm motility on previous literatures. This study is aimed to investigate the effect of hydrogen-rich red ginseng water (HRGW)on spermatogenesis and sperm motility in the mice of young and aged group. Methods: C57BL/6 male mice of young (3 months)and aged group (12 months)were randomly assigned to four groups and then they were administered once daily in a volume of 10mL/kg of body weight by an oral zoned needle for a period of 4 weeks: (1)Control group (n=10), (2)HRW group (n=10), (3)KRG group (n=10, 50mg/kg/day); (4)HRGW group (n=10). After treatment of 4 weeks, sperm count and motility were measured using sperm suspension released from cauda epididymis, and serum FSH, LH, testosterone and reactive oxygen species (ROS)were measured. Testicular morphology was examined by histological H&E staining. Expression of anti-oxidation (PPx3, PPx4, GSTm5 and GPx4), spermatogenesis (inhibin-α, Neptin-4, and CREM), antiaging (Sirt1 and Sirt2), and angiogenesis (visfatin and VEGF)-related genes in the testes were examined with Real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR). Results: Each single HRW and KRG preparation stimulate spermatogenesis followed by increasing sperm density and sperm motility. These effects were strengthened synergistically by HRGW (p<0.05). HRGW greatly increased not only gene expressions of anti-oxidation, antiaging, spermatogenesis, VEGF and angiogenesis related, especially in aged mice than in young mice, but also increased serum testosterone level, while decreased serum ROS level (p<0.05 in each). Histopathological finding was also similar tendency in HRGW group. Conclusion: As above Results, this study clearly demonstrates that HRGW significantly increased sperm density and motility by enhancing anti-oxidation, sex hormonal production and local microcirculation, especially in aged mice than in young mice. Policy of full disclosure: None