Objective: The effects of
Jing'an capsule on the quality of rat sperm were studied to supply data for its safe clinical use.
Methods: Eighty SD male rats were evenly and randomly divided into three test groups and one control group. Then the test groups were continuously given
Jing'an capsule at different dosages: 557.1 mg/kg, 5 571 mg/kg or 11 420 mg/kg and the control group was given starch (20 g/L). Sixty days later, one of the epididymides, the sperm density was made and the
sperm motility and morphology were investigated. The data obtained were analyzed by ANOVA, χ 2 test and Kruskal Wallis test. Results: The sperm density, motility and morphology were variable at different dosages. Compared with the control, the sperm density increased significantly at the dosage of 557.1 mg/kg( P < 0.05 ), and a significant decrease was observed in the sperm density and motility ( P < 0.05 )at the dosage of 11 420 mg/kg . Although the rate of abnormal sperm morphology decreased at the dosage of 557.1 mg/kg and increased at the dosage of 5 571 mg/kg or 11 420 mg/kg compared with the control, there was no statistic significance( P < 0.05 ). Conclusions: A low dosage of Jing'an capsule might ameliorate the quality of sperm, while a high dosage could do damage to sperm.