Objective:To establish in vitro culture of rat Sertoli cells and to investigate the effects of Chinese herbal medicines to their functions and the mechanism.Methods:Sertoli cells aged 18～22 days were separated and cultured from rat testis;the effect of Fructus Lycii,Radix Astragali and the combined administration of the two medicines on the proliferation of Sertoli cells in vitro were detected by means of MTT assay;the effect of Fructus Lycii,Radix Astragali and the combined administration of the two medicines on the level of INHβB in Sertoli cells in vitro were investigated in both normal environment and peroxide-damaging environment by means of immunohistochemistry.Results:The proliferation of Sertoli cells in vitro was promoted when treated with Fructus Lycii,Radix Astragali and the combined administration of the two medicines;Sertoli cells INHβB was up regulated by Fructus Lycii,Radix Astragali and the combined administration of the two medicines in vitro;Fructus Lycii and Radix Astragali were found to have protective effect on synthesis of INHβB in Sertoli cells with injury induced by peroxide(H₂O₂).Conclusion:The function of promotion and protection were found when Sertoli cells cultured in vitro treated with Fructus Lycii,Radix Astragali and the combined administration of the two medicines.