The multiglycosides of Tripterygium uifordii (TII),a ready-made Chinese herbal medicine used for the treat-ment of theumatoid arthritis,have been shown to cause oligospermia in patients.In the present study,the antifer-tility efffects of TII and tripchlorolide (T4,isolated from TII)were obeserved in male rate.In rats fed with TII at a dose of 10 mg·kg·d for 7 weeks,the seminiferous tubules were essentially not influenced.However,most of the sperm heads along the surface of the tubular lumen wer transformed from the normal sickle-shaped to round shaped,suggesting a possible mutagenic action. there was minimal testicular change but prominent epididymal spermatozoa damage in all rats treated with T4(0.05mg·kg·d)for 7 weeks.The epididymal spermatozoa showed various structural abnormalities,including disrupted connecting pieces and cracked midpieces,and more than 80％ of the spermatozoa were decapitated.No significant changes were seen in the main visceral organs.The data suggest that T4 may have good prospects as a male contraceptive.
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