Document Type : Original Article(s)
Authors
1
Professor, Department of Anatomical Sciences and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
2
PhD student, Department of Tissue Engineering, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
3
Associate Professor, Department of Anatomical Sciences and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
Abstract
Background: In recent decades, relation between reactive oxygen species (ROS) concentration and semen quality was noted. Traditionally, saffron has been not only considered as a food additive but also as a medicinal herb, which has good antioxidant properties. Vitamin E is considered as a endogenous and supplementary antioxidant which can protects the cell. The aim of this study was to evaluate the protection influence of saffron and vitamin E on sperm DNA against acid.Methods: Thirty adult male Wistar rats randomly divided into 3 equal groups of saffron, vitamin E and controlwhich received saffron (100 mg/kg/day), vitamin E (100 mg/kg/day) and distilled water (0.5 cc/day), respectively. After 60 days, cauda epididymis dissected and sperm were used for analysis of sperm chromatin susceptibility to acid denaturation via acridine orange (AO) staining. Acridine orange staining was carried out with or without acid detergent incubation.Findings: Both, saffron and vitamin E, decreased sperm DNA damage against acid (P < 0.001).Conclusion: Saffron and vitamin E protect DNA against denaturation, probably because of their powerful antioxidant properties.
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