The Effect of Crocin on Endocrine Functions of the Testes before and after Testicular Damage in Rats

Abstract
Aim of the Work: The aim of this work is to study the effect of crocin on endocrine functions of testes before and after testicular damage in rats.
Methods: The present work will be carried on 40 male albino rats. The rats will be divided into four groups, (10 rats for each). Control group (group I): Rats received 1ml normal saline intraperitoneally. Cadmium-treated group (group II): Rats received intraperitoneal injection of a single dose of 1 mg/kg cadmium chloride dissolved in saline. Crocin-pretreated group (group III): Rats received crocin in a dose of 50mg/kg intra-peritoneally once daily for 4 weeks, then they received cadmium chloride as in group II. Crocin-treated group (group IV): Rats received cadmium chloride as in group II, then they treated with crocin as in group III. At the end of the experiment, the animals were anesthetized, then the animals were sacrificed by cervical decapitation. The collected blood samples were collected.
Results: At the end of the experimental period, the results of the present work revealed that in Cd-treated group, there was significant decrease of serum levels of testosterone, FSH and LH. On the other hand, there was significant increase of testicular caspase-3 and testicular MDA with concomitant significant decrease of testicular GSH level compared to normal control group. In both the crocin-pretreated group and crocin-treated groups, there was significant increase of serum levels of testosterone, FSH and LH, significant decrease of testicular MDA levels associated with significant increase of testicular GSH levels as compared to cadmium-treated group. Testicular caspase-3 significanlty decreased in the crocin-treated group, but insignificanlty changed in crocin-pretreated as compared to cadmium-treated group. Also, all studied parameters significantly improved in crocin-treated group as compared to the crocin-pretreated group.
Conclusion: We conclude that crocin can improve testicular toxicity induced by cadmium via its anti-apoptotic and anti-oxidant effects. Moreover, our results showed that the thera-peutic effect of crocin is more effective than its protective effect on testicular toxicity induced by Cd.