Effect of Consumption of Korean Red Ginseng and Sodium Valproate on Apoptosis of Spermatogenic Cells and Sperm Quality in Pilockarpin-Induced Epilepsy Rat Model

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Keywords: Epilepsy, Sodium Valproate, Reproductive System, Ginseng, Sperm Parameters

Background: Reproductive dysfunction and endocrine disorders are common among men with complex partial seizures of temporal lobe origin. Diminished sexual desire and responsiveness along with decreased libido and less orgasm are frequently described in men with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). It appears that the reduced fertility in epileptic men is accompanied by erectile dysfunction and abnormal sperm quality. Sexual dysfunctions in epileptic cases may be a result of psychosocial stress, antiepileptic drugs and also epileptiform activity in the temporal lobe. The aim of this study is considering the adverse effects of epilepsy on reproductive system and also undesirable effects of antiepileptic drugs such as sodium valproate on fertility on one side and protective effects of Ginseng on reproductive system on the other side. Antioxidant property of Ginseng may delay apoptosis process of spermatogenic cells which accelerated through epilepsy and sodium valproate.

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 56 male rat of wistar species were divided into seven groups and 8 rats were placed in each group such as; control group, epileptic group treated by normal saline (Vehicle), epileptic group treated by sodium valproate and ginseng, epileptic group treated by ginseng, the recipient group of sodium valproate and ginseng, epileptic group treated by sodium valproate and the recipient group of sodium valproate. Animals after induction of epilepsy with pilocarpin, was treated intraperitoneally by ginseng (150 mg /kg /day) and sodium valproate (200 mg/ kg/day) for one month period. Sperm parameters (motility, morphology and count) were examined by optic microscope at the end of study. Tunnel diagnostic kit was used for studying amount of apoptosis of spermatogenesis cells group.

Results: Count sperm in seminiferous tubules of epileptic and recipient animals of sodium valproate was reduced. There is observed no significant change in sperm count in other groups. The most sperm morphological abnormalities observed in Vehicle group and epileptic animals treated by sodium valproate in comparison with recipient animals of ginseng. There was a significant difference between epileptic animals treated by sodium valproate and epileptic animals treated by ginseng from total motility point of view in comparison with epileptic animals treated by sodium valproate and vehicle. Number of seminiferous tubules containing apoptotic cells in recipient animals of sodium valproate, vehicle and epileptic animals treated by sodium valproate were very much in comparison with control group and recipient animals of ginseng.

Conclusion: Therefore, according to achieve results, ginseng prescription to patients suffering epilepsy that treated by sodium valproate can be very effective in improving such parameters. Ginseng may prevent oxidative stress effects of sodium valproate and complications from epilepsy on the reproductive system of male animals.