Mechanism of Bushen Shengjing Decoction on the Spermatogenic Function of in Rats With Oligoasthenospermia: Focus on SCF/c-Kit Signaling Pathway-Mediated Apoptosis

This study investigated the effect of Bushen Shengjing Decoction (BSSJD) to modulate SCF/c-kit signaling pathway-mediated apoptosis on spermatogenesis in rats with oligoasthenospermia (OAS). The glucoside of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F was given by gavage administration for OAS modeling in rats. The modeled rats were administered by gavage with BSSJD at different doses. Blood was collected from the abdominal aorta. The effect of BSSJD on OAS rats was determined by measuring serum testosterone (T), estradiol (E2) and luteinizing hormone (LH), epididymal index and testicular index, and sperm concentration and viability. Pathological changes in testicular tissues were observed. Caspase-3, Bax and Bcl-2 mRNA levels, along with SCF and c-kit levels in the testis tissues of rats were measured. BSSJD improved sperm concentration and quality, increased T and E2 levels, and reduced LH levels in rats with OAS. BSSJD alleviated apoptosis by decreasing Bax and caspase-3 and increasing Bcl-2 in testicular tissues of rats with OAS. Isck03 reversed the improvement of spermatogenesis and apoptosis in OAS rats treated with BSSJD. BSSJD improves spermatogenic function in OAS rats, which may act by regulating SCF/c-kit signaling pathway-mediated apoptosis.