Gabriele Rossi

Introduction. Korean ginseng is a common component of traditional herbal medicine, and is included in popular antioxidant supplements, including those marketed as ‘fertility-boosting’. Previous studies have indicated that ginseng consumption may increase sperm motility, though there is little research elucidating its effects on other functional or metabolic parameters in sperm.

Aims. This study aimed to elucidate the biochemical changes that occur in ovine sperm after in vitro exposure to ginseng.
Methods. Sperm was exposed to 0, 0.1, 0.5, 1 or 5 mg/mL ginseng in vitro, At 0.5, 3 and 6 hours post-exposure, computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) and flow cytometry were used to assess motility, viability, acrosome reaction, membrane lipid disorder, mitochondrial superoxide production, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and DNA fragmentation.

Results. Despite no change to sperm viability, exposure to all ginseng concentrations significantly increased the production of mitochondrial superoxide across all time points (9.72%± 0.79% n=180 p < 0.001), although general intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was not altered. DNA damage was significantly increased across all time points in cells exposed to 0.5, 1 and 5 mg/mL (7.71% ± 0.39% n= 180 p < 0.001). All ginseng concentrations at all time points significantly increased membrane fluidity (19.3% ± 1.51% n = 180 p < 0.001).

Discussion. Despite the reported antioxidant activity of ginseng, the increase in mitochondrial superoxide production, and the increase in DNA damage suggests that exposure to these concentrations of ginseng increase oxidative stress in sperm. The higher membrane fluidity of treated sperm suggests potential oestrogenic activity of ginseng, as oestrogen can induce capacitation-like changes. Despite the popularity and perceived safety of herbal fertility supplements, this research indicates they should be used with caution until their effects are further elucidated.