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Planta Med 2012; 78(15): 1620-1625
DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1315212
Biological and Pharmacological Activity
Original Papers
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Effect of Long-term Administration of Cordycepin from Cordyceps militaris on Testicular Function in Middle-aged Rats

Sang-Hyun Sohn
1   Department of Life Science, College of Biomedical and Health Science, Konkuk University, Chungju, Republic of Korea
3   Present address: Department of Medicinal Crop Research, National Institute of Horticultural & Herbal Science, Rural Development Administration, Eumseong, Republic of Korea
,
Su-Chan Lee
1   Department of Life Science, College of Biomedical and Health Science, Konkuk University, Chungju, Republic of Korea
,
Seock-Yeon Hwang
2   Department of Clinical Pathology, College of Applied Industry, Daejeon University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
,
Sung-Won Kim
1   Department of Life Science, College of Biomedical and Health Science, Konkuk University, Chungju, Republic of Korea
,
Il-Woung Kim
1   Department of Life Science, College of Biomedical and Health Science, Konkuk University, Chungju, Republic of Korea
,
Michael B. Ye
1   Department of Life Science, College of Biomedical and Health Science, Konkuk University, Chungju, Republic of Korea
,
Si-Kwan Kim
1   Department of Life Science, College of Biomedical and Health Science, Konkuk University, Chungju, Republic of Korea
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

received 10 April 2012
revised 03 July 2012

accepted 16 July 2012

Publication Date:
07 August 2012 (online)

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Abstract

This study was carried out to examine the potential beneficial effect of cordycepin on the decline of testicular function induced with age. A total of 30 male Sprague-Dawley rats (twenty-four 12-month-olds and six 2-month-olds) were divided into five groups. The young control (YC) and middle-aged control (MC) groups received vehicle only. Cordycepin-treated groups were administered daily doses of oral cordycepin at 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg body weight for 4 months. As a result, the MC group exhibited epididymal weight loss, decreased sperm motility, and reduced spermatogenesis compared to the young control group. Interestingly, the epididymal weights of middle-aged rats were dose-dependently increased by treatment with cordycepin. Cordycepin also improved calcium levels and decreased urea and nitrogen, uric acid, and creatinine in the blood of middle-aged rats. In addition, cordycepin significantly increased sperm motility and the progressiveness of sperm movement. All cordycepin-treated groups showed well-arranged spermatogonia, densely packed cellular material, and increased numbers of mature spermatozoa in the seminiferous lumen compared to the middle-aged control group. These results indicate that long-term administration of cordycepin can counteract the decline of testicular function in middle-aged rats.

Key words

cordycepin - Cordyceps militaris - testicular function - sperm motility - spermatogenesis-aging
 

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