title: Protective effect of crocetin on bovine spermatozoa against oxidative stress during in vitro fertilization.
abstract: Oxidative stress is one of the major factors that contribute to poor semen quality and low rates of in vitro fertilization. Crocetin, a main constituent of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) possesses potent antioxidant activity, by scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS) and/or enhancing the activity of intracellular antioxidant enzymes. The aim of this study was to investigate, for the first time, the effect of crocetin on the quality characteristics of bull spermatozoa and fertilization rate. For this reason, frozen/thawed bovine spermatozoa were incubated with crocetin (1, 2.5, and 5 μm), for 120 or 240 min, in the presence of a negative control, and evaluated in terms of motility, viability, acrosomal status, DNA fragmentation index, intracellular ROS, and lipid peroxidation. In order to evaluate the impact of crocetin on cleavage and blastocyst rate, the compound was added in the IVF medium at the previously identified optimal concentration (2.5 μm). The results indicate that incubation of spermatozoa with 2.5 μm of crocetin resulted in a statistically significant lower production of superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide, lower lipid peroxidation, and in better maintenance of motility parameters, viability, and acrosomal integrity, with a very small number of cells with DNA fragmentation, compared to the other groups (p < 0.05). The presence of crocetin (2.5 μm) in the fertilization medium also resulted in a significant increase in acrosome-reacted spermatozoa and blastocyst production, compared to the control group (p < 0.01). These data indicate that crocetin (2.5 μm) positively affects bovine sperm quality characteristics during a 240-min incubation and improves its fertilizing ability, directly and/or indirectly, by regulating ROS concentration and lipid peroxidation.
authors: Laboratory of Physiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors: V
authors: V
authors: Sapanidou
authors: Laboratory of Physiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors: I
authors: I
authors: Taitzoglou
authors: Clinic of Farm Animals, School of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors: I
authors: I
authors: Tsakmakidis
authors: Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Biology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors: I
authors: I
authors: Kourtzelis
authors: Laboratory of Hygiene and Technology of Food Animal Origin, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Fletouris
authors: Laboratory of Animal Production Economics, School of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Theodoridis
authors: Laboratory of Physiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Lavrentiadou
authors: Laboratory of Physiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Tsantarliotou
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002417:Cattle; D005306:Fertilization / Q000187:drug effects*; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D055101:Semen Analysis / Q000662:veterinary; D012662:Semen Preservation / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000031:analogs & derivatives
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; C487773:trans-sodium crocetinate; D014801:Vitamin A; D002338:Carotenoids
keywords: crocetin; in vitro embryo production; in vitro fertilization; oxidative stress; reactive oxygen species; spermatozoa