[Effects of yijing recipe on sperm apoptosis and mitochondrial membrane potential in patients with idiopathic oligoathenoteratospermia].

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of Yijing Recipe on sperm apoptosis and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) in patients with idiopathic oligoathenoteratospermia. METHODS: Using the self-control method, we examined sperm apoptosis and MMP in 30 patients with oligoathenoteratospermia before and after treated with Yijing Recipe. RESULTS: The rates of early sperm apoptosis (AV +/PI -) and MMP loss were significantly reduced after treatment as compared with pre-medication ([2.86 +/- 1.47]% vs [4.26 +/- 2.79]% and [21.77 +/- 13.46]% vs [41.73 +/- 20.30]%, P<0.05). No statistically significant difference was observed in the sperm death rate (PI+) before and after treatment ([34.10 +/- 16.26]% vs [30.21 +/- 13.50]%, P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Yijing Recipe can reduce early sperm apoptosis and improve MMP, which may be one of the mechanisms underlying its efficacy on oligoathenoteratospermia.