Xiaokang Liuwei Dihuang decoction ameliorates the immune infertility of male rats induced by lipopolysaccharide through regulating the levels of sex hormones, reactive oxygen species, pro-apoptotic and immune factors.

Male immune infertility is a kind of disease that damages family life and happiness. The development of novel methods treating male immune infertility is of great significance. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of Chinese medicine Xiaokang Liuwei Dihuang decoction on immune infertility of male rats and explored the involved mechanisms. Model rats were established by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection. Anti-sperm antibody (AsAb) was detected by ELISA assay and testicular cell apoptosis was evaluated by TUNEL staining to verify the successful model establishment and screen suitable doses of Xiaokang Liuwei Dihuang decoction. Thirty rats were then divided into five groups (n = 6 per group): Control, LPS, Xiaokang Liuwei Dihuang decoction (15.12 g/kg, 30.24 g/kg and 45.36 g/kg). Results of HE staining showed that compared with LPS group, Xiaokang Liuwei Dihuang decoction treatments gradually improved the morphology of seminiferous tubules and elevated the number of spermatogenic cells as the doses increased. The sperm number and the levels of testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) in the serum of 15.12 g/kg, 30.24 g/kg and 45.36 g/kg Xiaokang Liuwei Dihuang decoction groups were much higher than those in LPS group. Results of TUNEL staining, ELISA assay and western blot showed that compared with LPS group, the testicular cell apoptosis and the levels of interleukin 1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), AsAb, malondialdehyde (MDA) and toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) in the testicular tissue significantly decreased in three Xiaokang Liuwei Dihuang decoction groups. Compared with LPS group, Bax expression in the 30.24 g/kg and 45.36 g/kg Xiaokang Liuwei Dihuang decoction groups was significantly down-regulated as well. In conclusion, Xiaokang Liuwei Dihuang decoction might ameliorate the immune infertility of male rats induced by LPS through regulating the levels of sex hormones, reactive oxygen species, pro-apoptotic and immune factors.