Objective: To explore the effect of Tiangui recipe (TGR) in androgen sterilized rats (ASR).
Methods: New-born female SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups. ASR model was established by means of testosterone injection subcutaneously at the age of 9 days, ASR were administered with TGR for 14 days. Around the age of 106 days (proestrus day), all rats were sacrificed, serum total testosterone (TT) and free testosterone (FT) were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA), and levels of hypothalamic proopiomelanocortin (POMC) mRNA expression in hypothalamus were determined.
Results: None of the ASR ovulated and all rats in control group ovulated. The rate of ovulation in TGR group was 58%, the mean-serum concentration of TT and FT in ASR were significantly higher than those in the control group and TGR group (P < 0.01). The hypothalamic POMC mRNA level in ASR model group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.01), and became normal after TGR treatment.
Conclusion: The elevated serum androgen levels in ASR could challenge hypothalamic POMC mRNA overexpression via androgen receptor (AR). TGR might reduce serum androgen and lower the expression of POMC mRNA.