Premium
Effects of Panax ginseng on glial cell‐derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) expression and spermatogenesis in rats
Author(s) -
Yang Woong Mo,
Park Soo Yeon,
Kim HyungMin,
Park Eun Hwa,
Park Seong Kyu,
Chang Mun Seog
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
phytotherapy research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.019
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1099-1573
pISSN - 0951-418X
DOI - 10.1002/ptr.3239
Subject(s) - glial cell line derived neurotrophic factor , ginseng , neurotrophic factors , spermatogenesis , sperm , western blot , andrology , biology , neurotrophin , endocrinology , medicine , blot , pharmacology , biochemistry , pathology , receptor , alternative medicine , gene
Panax ginseng (PG) is a medicinal herb which has been used to improve male reproduction in traditional Korean medicine. This study investigated the effect of PG on spermatogenesis and the regulation of glial cell‐derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), which has a crucial role in spermatogonial stem cell maintenance. PG was administered to 8‐week‐old male Wistar rats (1.0 g/kg/day, p.o.) for 56 consecutive days, the sperm formation period of the rat. Sperm analysis, RT‐PCR and western blot assays were then carried out. The PG‐treated group had significantly enhanced sperm counts, GDNF mRNA level and protein level. These results suggest that PG induces spermatogenesis and GDNF activation in rat testes. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.