Crocin Reduces Oxidative Stress Produced by Busulfan Administration on Fertility of Male Rats

Busulfan (BUS) as a drug for cancer treatment can produce free radicals. Crocin (CRO) is a potent antioxidant with beneficial effects. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of CRO against BUS-related damages to the male rats reproductive parameters.

Forty-eight male rats were randomly assigned into 8 groups; Group 1 (normal control group) received normal saline; Group 2 (BUS control group) received 10 mg/kg/body weight (b.w.) of BUS; Group 3-5 (CRO groups) received 12.5, 25.0, 50.0 mg/kg/b.w. of CRO, respectively; Group 6-8 (BUS + CRO groups) received BUS + CRO. Treatments were administered daily by intraperitoneal injection in a five-week period. The sperm parameters, testis malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), testosterone level, and germinal layer height were evaluated histologically and analyzed statistically.

All parameters reduced significantly in the BUS control group compared to the normal control group (P<0.01) except the MDA level (which increased). The CRO and CRO + BUS treatments in all doses increased whole parameters significantly compared to the BUS control group (P<0.01) except MDA level (which decreased). No significant modifications were observed in all CRO groups compared to the normal control group (P>0.05).

It seems that CRO could increase the quality of spermatozoa and improves BUS -induced adverse effects on male fertility parameters.