Evaluation of the effects of crocin addition on canine semen dilution during refrigerated storage

Artificial insemination is one of the most accessible techniques for raising domestic animals. It has been proven that refrigeration significantly reduces the quality of sperm. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of crocin on the storage of dog semen at 4 ºC during a period of 48 hours. In this study, 25 ejaculates were collected from 5 terrier dogs and diluted in a Tris-based diluent. Then, they were divided into 5 parts in control, control dissolve (Dimethyl sulfoxide 5%, dissolve of crocin) and treated with 0.5, 1 and 1.5 mM crocin groups. Sperm parameters including evaluation of total motility, progressive motility, motility characteristics and sperm viability were evaluated for 48 hours. The obtained results showed that progressive motility and total motility during 48 hours of storage were significantly higher in 1.5, 1, and 0.5 mM crocin concentrations compared to the control group. Also, the examination of motility characteristics, except for STR, showed that the addition of 1.5 mM crocin significantly improved the characteristics compared to the control group. Investigating sperm viability showed that the addition of 1.5, 1 and 0.5 mM crocin significantly improves sperm viability. As a result, the present study determined that the addition of crocin to dog semen can improve the parameters of dog semen after liquid storage.