Bazi Bushen alleviates reproductive aging in aged male mice

Bazi Bushen(BZBS),a traditional Chinese medicine(TCM),has demonstrated therapeutic efficacy in testicular dysfunction within D-galactose and NaNO_(2)mouse models.This study aimed to ascertain if BZBS could also mitigate the decline in testicular function associated with natural aging.Therefore,male aged mice were employed to evaluate the preventive effects of BZBS on male reproductive aging.This was achieved by assessing sex hormone production,testicular histomorphology,and spermatogenesis.Relative to the untreated aged control group,BZBS administration elevated the levels of sex hormones and spermatocyte populations and preserved normal testicular structure in aged mice.Notably,spermatogenesis was maintained.Further analyses,including malondialdehyde(MDA)assays and real-time PCR,indicated that BZBS diminished testicular oxidative stress and the inflammatory burden.Corroborating these findings,mice treated with BZBS exhibited reductions in the populations of senescent and apoptotic cells within the seminiferous tubules,suggesting alleviated cellular damage.In contrast,we observed that rapamycin,a drug known for its longevity benefits,induced excessive testicular apoptosis and did not decrease lipid peroxidation.Collectively,our results highlight BZBS’s promising clinical potential in counteracting male reproductive aging,underlining its mechanisms of action.

Reproductive aging:biological pathways and potential interventive strategies

Reproductive aging is a natural process conserved across species and is well-known in females.It shows age-related follicle depletion and reduction of oocyte quality,eventually causing reproductive senescence and menopause.Although reproductive aging in males is not well noticed as in females,it also causes infertility and has deleterious consequences on the offspring.Various factors have been suggested to contribute to reproductive aging,including oxidative stress,mitochondrial defects,telomere shortening,meiotic chromosome segregation errors and genetic alterations.With the increasing trend of pregnancy age,it is particularly crucial to find interventions to preserve or extend human fertility.Studies in humans and model organisms have provided insights into the biological pathways associated with reproductive aging,and a series of potential interventive strategies have been tested.Here,we review factors affecting reproductive aging in females and males and summarize interventive strategies that may help delay or rescue the aging phenotypes of reproduction.