Saffron Improves Epididymal Sperm Parameters in Rats Exposed to Cadmium

Abstract

Background:Cadmium (Cd) is known to cause various disorders in the testis. The general population may be exposed to Cd through ingestion of food and drinking water, inhalation of particulates from ambient air, tobacco smoke and ingestion of contaminated soil and dust. Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is widely used as a food flavour, and has well known medicinal effects.Objectives:The aim of this study was to determine the effects of saffron on the results of semen parameters (sperm concentration, motility and viability in cauda of epididymis) in rats exposed to cadmium.Materials and Methods:Thirty Wistar male rats were divided into four groups. Cadmium chloride (1 mg/kg body weight) was injected intraperitoneally during 16 days at intervals of 48 hours between subsequent treatments. Crocus sativus L. (100 mg/kg b.w., IP) was pretreated in both control and cadmium-injected rats. Both control and cadmium-injected rats were pretreated with Crocus sativus L. (100 mg/kg b.w., IP). The animals were killed and their sperm count, motility, and vitality were evaluated.Results:Sperm parameters did not differ significantly between control and sham groups. Following contamination with cadmium, sperm count, motility and vitality were significantly decreased in comparison to control group (P < 0.05). In pretreated (saffron) group, the sperm parameters improved significantly in comparison with cadmium group (P ≤ 0.05). A significant decrease in sperm motility was observed in Cd-treated rats compared to the control rats. However, no significant changes were recorded by comparison of the control and saffron treated groups except for the sperm motility parameter.Conclusions:Saffron, as an antioxidant, is positively effective on sperm parameters in rats exposed with cadmium.

Protective effect of Cordyceps militaris extract against bisphenol A induced reproductive damage

“…Sperm concentration was measured as per the method reported previously [Asadi et al 2014]. Briefly, PBS buffer containing 10% of formaldehyde (450 μL) was added into sperm suspension (50 μL) to induce sperm immobility.…”

The Effect of Saffron on Semen Analysis in Infertile Men with Clinical Varicocele After Varicocelectomy

“…Although animal studies were indicative of the potential role of saffron in improving all semen parameters (16)(17)(18), studies on humans could not confirm these results. Heidary et al (19) observed that saffron is effective on sperm morphology and motility in nonsmoker infertile men with oligospermia, but it does not increase sperm count.…”

“…There are only three studies on animal models and two studies on male infertile subjects evaluating the effect of saffron on sperm parameters (16)(17)(18)(19)(20). Although animal studies were indicative of the potential role of saffron in improving all semen parameters (16)(17)(18), studies on humans could not confirm these results.…”

“…Recent studies have demonstrated that saffron and its constituents have antioxidant, anti-microbial, anti-convulsant, anti-depressant, anticancer, and antiinflammatory effects and also reduce withdrawal syndrome and improve male erectile dysfunction (11)(12)(13)(14)(15). ment (16)(17)(18)(19)(20). Due to the possible role of saffron on sperm parameter improvement, we aimed to evaluate the effect of saffron on semen analysis in infertile men with clinical varicocele after varicocelectomy.…”

Proteomic analysis of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) grown under conditions of cadmium toxicity

“…However, the regulatory mechanism of Cd tolerance in saffron is still unknown. Saffron (Crocus sativus), a perennial herb belonging to the Iridaceae, is heavily used in traditional medicine because of its anticancer, antioxidative, antidepressant, anticonvulsant and learning-and memory-enhancing properties (MACCARONE et al, 2008;SHAMSA et al, 2009;ASADI et al, 2014). There is only one study which reports the effect of Cd on saffron and they only investigated the heavy metal concentration in saffron (ABOU-ARAB; ABOU DONIA 2000).…”