[Protective effect of epigallocatechin gallate against sperm abnormality in mice].

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effect of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) on mouse sperm in vivo. METHODS: A total of 64 six-week-old male Kuming mice were randomly divided into eight groups of equal number to be treated with normal saline (negative control), Cyclophosphamide (CP) at 30 mg/kg (positive control), and CP followed by EGCG (experimental) at 20, 40, and 80 mg/kg, respectively, given every other day for 10 days. At 4 and 5 weeks after treatment, the bilateral testes of the mice were harvested for examination of sperm abnormality. RESULTS: EGCG did not increase the rate of CP-induced sperm abnormality in the mice, but reduced it instead with the prolonged time of treatment. CONCLUSION: EGCG protects mouse sperm in vivo.