Objective:To investigate the protective effect and the possible mechanism of Rg1 on Cadmium-induced tesicular damage in rat.Methods:30 wistar rats were divided into 3 groups:the control group

the Cd group and the Cd+Rg1 group.The Cd group rats injected intraperitoneally with 0.5 mg/(kg·d) cadmium for 14 days.The rats in the Cd+Rg1 group were pretreated with 75mg/(kg·d) Rg1 by intragastric administration before injected intraperitoneally with 0.5 mg/(kg·d) cadmium.All animals were killed after 14 days

the sperm count

the movable sperm percentage and the abnormal sperm rate in epididymis were analyzed.The content of MT in testis were detected and the apoptosis of testis genital cells were assessed by TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling(TUNEL)technique.Results:14 days after exposed to Cd caused a significant decrease in the sperm count and the movable sperm percentage.On the other hand

the abnormal sperm rate

the content of MT and the apoptosis percent of genital cells in testis were increased significantly.In the Cd+Rg1 group

the sperm count

the movable sperm percentage and the content of MT were higher than that of Cd group

while the abnormal sperm rate and the apoptosis percent of genital cells in testis were significantly lower than that of Cd group.Conclusion:Rg1 have protective effect on on tesicular damage induced by Cd possibly through upregulating the expression of MT in testis.