Objective: To investigate the effects of different doses of Cuscutae Semen flavone on glycosides of Tripterygium wilfordii (GTW)-induced reproductive damage in male juvenile rats. Method: The 80 3-4 week-old SD male rats were randomly divided into 2 batches for feeding

n=40 in each batch. The rats in each batch were further randomly divided into 5 groups

n=8 in each group:blank group(ig CMC-Na)

GTW (ig 9 mg·kg-1·d-1) group

Cuscutae Semen flavone groups (high dose group:0.2 g·kg-1·d-1+GTW 9 mg·kg-1·d-1

middle dose group:0.1 g·kg-1·d-1+GTW 9 mg·kg-1·d-1

low dose group:0.05 g·kg-1·d-1+GTW 9 mg·kg-1·d-1). In the flavone groups

GTW was mixed with flavone into rats by intragastric administration for continuous 4 weeks and 12 weeks. After treatment

rats were killed under anesthesia and testicular tissues were taken. The body weight of the rats was observed and organ indexes of testicular tissue specimens were detected. The pathological changes of testicular tissues were observed by HE staining method

and the androgen receptor (AR) mRNA and protein expression levels were detected by Real-time PCR and Western blot. Result: GTW can significantly reduce body weight and testicular weight after 4 weeks and 12 weeks of treatment. Compared with the blank group

the body weight and testicular weight of rats in GTW group were significantly lower (P < 0.01)

compared with GTW group

the body weight and testicular weight of rats in flavone groups were significantly increased (P < 0.01)

the body weight and testicular weight of rats in flavone middle dose group were significantly higher than those in high dose group and low dose group (P < 0.05).After treatment for 4 weeks

space of convoluted tubule in testis of rats in GTW group was broadened

convoluted tubule was distorted with edema

in severe cases

convoluted tubule was broken with scattered mesenchymal cells and significantly reduced spermatogonia and spermatocyte

the testicular damage was heavier at week 12. The above pathological damage was lighter in flavone middle dose group. After 4 weeks administration

AR mRNA and protein expression levels in testicular tissues of rats in GTW group were significantly down-regulated (P < 0.05)

and after 12 weeks administration

AR mRNA and protein expression levels were decreased more significantly (P < 0.01). Flavone group (middle dose) can significantly increase the AR mRNA and protein expression levels in testicular tissues (P < 0.05

P < 0.01). Conclusion: GTW can significantly reduce the body weight and testicular weight of rats

down-regulate AR mRNA and protein expression levels

GTW had significant damaging effect to the testicular tissues of male rats in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner

Cuscutae Semen flavone middle dose group had a more significant protective effect for such damages.