title: Effect of saffron on rat sperm chromatin integrity.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Currently, relation between reactive oxygen species (ROS) ROS concentration and semen quality was indicated. Saffron has traditionally been not only considered as a food additive but also as a medicinal herb, which has a good antioxidant properties.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the protection potency of saffron and vitamin E on sperm chromatin integrity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty adult male Wistar rats divided equally into saffron (100 mg/kg), vitamin E (100 mg/kg) and control (0.5cc distilled water /day) groups. After 60 days, cauda epididymis dissected and sperm cells were used for analysis of sperm chromatin packaging by chromomycin A3 (CMA3) staining, and sperm chromatin susceptibility to acid denaturation by acridine orange (AO) staining.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean percentage of CMA3 positive sperm was significantly decreased in saffron and vitamin E groups relative to control group (p<0.001). Moreover, the AO staining results showed that the mean percentage of sperm with DNA damage was significantly decreased in saffron and vitamin E groups as compared with control group (p<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results purposed that saffron can protect sperm against DNA damage and chromatin anomalies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomical Sciences and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mardani
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomical Sciences and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Ahmad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vaez
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomical Sciences and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Shahnaz
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Razavi
keywords: Antioxidants; DNA damage; Saffron; Sperm chromatin; Vitamin E