This study is to verify the effect of asthma on sperm quality and explore its potential underlying mechanism. We randomly categorized the Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats into control (Group C) and asthma model (Group M) groups. Rats in the asthma model group were induced allergic asthma by intraperitoneal injection of ovalbumin solution. We evaluated the sperm motility and sperm concentration. The expression of the Interleukin-6 (IL6), phosphorylation-signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (p-Stat3), and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) proteins and mRNAs in the testicular tissue was detected by western blotting and RT-qPCR. Compared with group C, sperm concentration and sperm motility in group M rats were significantly decreased ( P < 0.05 ). Meanwhile, compared with group C, the expression levels of IL6, Stat3, and HIF-1α proteins and mRNAs in group M rats were significantly increased ( P < 0.05 ). Asthma can regulate the HIF-1 signaling pathway, promoting the expression of IL6, Stat3, and HIF-1α protein and mRNAs, so as to promote sperm apoptosis and ultimately causing male infertility.

Zuogui Wan (ZGW) is a common prescription medication used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to significantly improve the sperm quality and treat male infertility. This study evaluated the repair effect of ZGW and Levocarnitine (LEV) on GC1‐spg cell injury induced by Glucosides of Tripterygium WilforDII Hook (GTW). The results showed that the ultrastructure and apoptosis rate of GC1‐ spg cells in LEV and ZGW group were considerably better than GTW. The transcriptional and translational level of CYP1A1, CYP17A1, androgen receptor (AR), SRD5A2 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in GC‐1spg cells of the LEV group were considerably elevated than GTW group (p < 0.05 or 0.01). Furthermore, the transcriptional and translational levels of CYP19A1, CYP17A1, AR, SRD5A2 and PCNA in GC‐1spg cells in ZGW group were found to be considerably elevated than the LEV group (p < 0.05 or 0.01). The findings indicate that ZGW and LEV could increase the expression of PCNA, CYP17A1, CYP19A1, SRD5A2 and AR at transcriptional and translational levels, inhibit GC‐1spg cell apoptosis and promoting cell proliferation, and the effect of ZGW was found to be significantly better than that of LEV.