Abstract：【Objective】To study the effects of maca on the sexual ability, reproductive capacity, and sleep of Drosophila melanogasters and male mice. 【Methods】 Firstly, the mating numbers and hatching numbers of Drosophila melanogaster were detected by culturing with medium containing maca powder (0.1%, 0.2%). Then, the reproductive capacity of mice with the treatment of maca solution(0.1 g/kg, 0.2 g/kg) by gavage for 15 days were evaluated through tests of semen quality, histologic changes of the testis and epididymis, and filial mice. In addition, the effects of maca (0.1 g/kg, 0.2 g/kg, 0.4 g/kg) on sleep of mice were evaluated through observations of the direct sleeping number, sleeping latency and sleeping time induced by pentobarbital sodium, and sleep onset of mice treated by subhypnotic dosage of pentobarbital sodium. 【Results】Maca could significantly improve the mating rate and proliferation rate of flies. It enhanced the testis development and semen quality of male mice and increased fertility rate, the average litter size of parent mice, the average litter weight, and survival rate of filial mice. Sleeping test illustrated that maca didn't cause direct sleep of mice; however, it shortened the sleeping latency time, prolonged the sleeping time of mice induced by pentobarbital sodium, and raised the sleeping number of mice treated by subhypnotic dosage of pentobarbital sodium either. 【Conclusion】Maca shows effects on improving sexual ability and reproductive capacity in different animal models. Moreover, maca also improves sleep.
2016, Vol. 33 
