Effects of Zuogui Wan on testis structure and expression of c-Kit and Oct4 in rats with impaired spermatogenesis

Zuogui Wan is a classic traditional Chinese prescription. Preliminary studies have confirmed that it could improve sperm quality significantly.To investigate the effect of Zuogui Wan on testis structure and c-kitproto-oncogeneprotein (c-Kit) and octamer-binding transcription factor-4 (Oct4) expression in a rat model of impaired spermatogenesis.Thirty-six Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided into Blank control, Tripterygium glycosides (GTW) and Zuogui Wan groups (n = 12). GTW was used to generate models of impaired spermatogenesis. Then Zuogui Wan group was administered 6 g/kg/d of Zuogui Wan granules for 4 weeks. Changes in the pathological structure and ultrastructure were observed with optical microscope and transmission electron microscope. Expression of c-Kit and Oct4 were quantified by RT qPCR and Western blots.Both the pathological damage and the damages in the ultrastructure of spermatogenic epithelium had improved in Zuogui Wan group. Compared with the GTW model group (0.47 ± 0.19; 0.38 ± 0.14), c-Kit and Oct4 protein expression increased in the Zuogui Wan group (0.75 ± 0.27; 0.65 ± 0.23). C-Kit and Oct4 mRNA expression increased in Zuogui Wan group (1.06 ± 0.16; 1.85 ± 1.04) compared to the GTW model group (0.66 ± 0.23; 0.46 ± 0.29).Zuogui Wan is capable of restoring the damage to the testis structure and ultrastructure and regulates the expression of c-Kit and Oct4 at protein and mRNA levels, inhibiting apoptosis and promoting proliferation of spermatogenic cells.