Effects of Crocin Supplementation on Spermatological Parameters, Oxidative Stress and DNA Damage After Freezing-Thawing Process in Merino Ram Semen

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The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different doses of crocin added to the extender on some spermatological parameters, oxidative stress, and DNA damage in thawed ram semen. Ejaculates were collected from five Merino rams using an artificial vagina once a week and this process was repeated six times. Ejaculates were split into four aliquots and diluted to a final concentration of 150x10^6 spermatozoa/ml with the base extender containing crocin (0.5, 1 and 2 mM) and no additive (control). All samples were cooled to 5°C and equilibrated for 3 h then were loaded into 0.25 mL straws and frozen using a liquid nitrogen vapour and plunged into the liquid nitrogen at –196°C. In the thawed semen according to subjective motility respectively 0,5 and 1mM crocin doses group indicated the highest value (P 0,05). In addition, the decrease in the group containing 1 mM crocin was found to be significant (P 0.05) in terms of abnormal spermatozoon ratio compared to the control group. In Host-eosin test the highest value was observed in 1mM group compared to the control group. Compared with the control group, reductions in DNA damage by 0.5 mM and 1 mM crocin were statistically significant (P 0.05). Total oxidant status decreased significantly (P 0.05) in all treatment groups in comparison to the control group. In conclusion, in this study, it was observed that 1 mM crocin addition to ram semen provided the best protection in motility, abnormality, membrane integrity, and DNA damage when compared to the control and other crocin doses.

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Crocin , DNA damage , ram , semen , freezing , oxidative stress

Fırat University Veterinary Journal Of Health Sciences

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Fırat University Veterinary Journal Of Health Sciences