# Combination of Korean Red Ginseng Extract and Hydrogen-Rich Water Improves Spermatogenesis and Sperm Motility in Male Mice.
> 高麗紅参エキスと水素水の併用が雄マウスの精子形成および精子運動性に与える影響


## Abstract

This animal study examined the effects of hydrogen-rich water (HRW), Korean Red Ginseng extract (KRG), and their combination (HRGW) on reproductive parameters in young (3-month-old) and aged (12-month-old) male mice. Eighty mice were divided into four groups and administered treatments orally for 4 weeks. Sperm count and motility were assessed from cauda epididymis suspensions, and serum levels of FSH, LH, testosterone, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured. Gene expression related to antioxidation (PPx3, PPx4, GSTm5, GPx4), spermatogenesis (inhibin-a, neptin-2, CREM), antiaging (SIRT1, SIRT2), and angiogenesis (visfatin, VEGF) was quantified by real-time PCR. Both HRW and KRG individually improved sperm production and motility, while HRGW produced synergistically greater effects. Serum testosterone and FSH rose significantly, ROS declined, and upregulation of antioxidant and spermatogenesis-related genes was especially pronounced in aged mice, suggesting a combined antioxidative and hormonal mechanism underlying the observed reproductive improvements.

### Mechanism

HRW reduced serum ROS levels while KRG synergistically upregulated antioxidant genes (PPx3, PPx4, GSTm5, GPx4), antiaging genes (SIRT1, SIRT2), and VEGF expression. Together, these effects promoted testosterone and FSH secretion, thereby stimulating spermatogenesis and improving sperm motility, particularly in aged animals.

## Bibliographic

- **Authors**: Ku JY, Park MS, Park HJ, Park NC, Joo BS
- **Journal**: Chin J Integr Med
- **Year**: 2020
- **PMID**: [31919748](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31919748/)
- **DOI**: [10.1007/s11655-019-3047-1](https://doi.org/10.1007/s11655-019-3047-1)
- **Study type**: animal study
- **Delivery route**: hydrogen-rich water
- **Effect reported**: positive

## Delivery context

Hydrogen-rich water is a low-risk delivery route, but the achievable systemic hydrogen dose is bounded. For clinical applications, inhalation is the most efficient route; inhalation, however, carries explosion risk, and concentration matters (empirical LFL of 10% applies to inhalation environments; high-concentration devices are documented in the Consumer Affairs Agency accident database and are not recommended).

## Safety notes

Hydrogen-rich water is a low-risk delivery route, but the achievable systemic hydrogen dose is bounded. For clinical applications, inhalation is the most efficient route; inhalation, however, carries explosion risk, and concentration matters (empirical LFL of 10% applies to inhalation environments; high-concentration devices are documented in the Consumer Affairs Agency accident database and are not recommended).

See also:
- [Inhalation concentration and LFL / UFL](https://h2-papers.org/en/safety-notes/inhalation-concentration)
- [Consumer Affairs Agency accident cases](https://h2-papers.org/en/safety-notes/accident-cases)
- [Inhalation safety threshold lineage](https://h2-papers.org/en/safety-notes/lineage)

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> **Cite as**: H2 Papers — PMID 31919748. https://h2-papers.org/en/papers/31919748
> **Source**: PubMed PMID [31919748](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31919748/)