Ameliorative Effect of Crocin on Sperm Parameters and In Vitro Fertilization in Mice under Oxidative Stress Induced by Paraquat

Paraquat (PQ) is a herbicide and is genotoxic and cytotoxic poison for male germ cells. Therefore, in this study, the protective role of Crocin (Cr) against the destructive effects of Paraquat on sperm quality and in-vitro fertilization results Paraquat was investigated.

Twenty-eight male mice (20-25g) were used in four groups. The control group received 0.1ml of the normal saline intraperitonealy (IP) per day, and the sham control group (PQ group) received Paraquat 5mg/kg/day, IP, the experimental group (PQ+Cr group) received PQ along with Crocin (Cr) (200mg/kg/day, IP), and positive control group received only Cr (200mg/kg/day, IP). In the last two weeks of the treatment period (35 days of treatment), 16 non-pregnant mice were stimulated to receive adult oocytes. At the end of the treatment period, after euthanizing the mice, the sperms were extracted from the epididymis and prepared for evaluation of sperm parameters and in-vitro fertilization (IVF).

In PQ+Cr group Crocin caused a significant increase in the average number of sperms and mean percentage of motile and viable sperms and a significant decrease in the mean number of immature and DNA-damaged sperms compared to sham control group (p<0.001). In addition, IVF evaluation in the PQ+Cr group showed that the mean percentage of fertilization, two- and four-cell embryos and blastocysts and hatched embryos significantly increased. Moreover, Crocin caused a significant decrease in the mean percentage of the arrested embryos compared to the sham control group (p<0.001). However, Crocin in the Cr group does not have any toxic effects on sperm quality or IVF results.

The findings of this study showed that Crocin, due to its effective and potent antioxidant properties, can reduce or suppress the destructive effects on sperm parameters and IVF caused by Paraquat.