Clin Exp Reprod Med.  2018 Dec;45(4):163-169. 10.5653/cerm.2018.45.4.163.

Protective effects of saffron against zearalenone-induced alterations in reproductive hormones in female mice (Mus musculus)

• Ahmad B
• Shrivastava VK
• Saleh R
• Henkel R
• Agarwal A

• KMID: 2427411
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5653/cerm.2018.45.4.163

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
Zearalenone (ZEA) is a mycotoxin with potent estrogenic effects. Saffron is an herbal product that has antioxidant activities. The objective of this study was to investigate the protective role of saffron against reproductive toxicity induced by ZEA in female mice.
METHODS
Ninety 8-week-old female mice were randomly allocated into three treatment groups. The first group received an intraperitoneal injection of ZEA (2.5 mg/kg) on alternate days. The second group received ZEA (2.5 mg/kg) on alternate days plus oral saffron daily (50 mg/kg). The third group was treated with a vehicle of 1% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) on alternate days, as a control. Ten mice were euthanized from each group at 30, 60, and 90 days of treatment. Serum levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol (E2), and progesterone (P) were assessed. The uterus and ovaries were examined for changes in size or morphology.
RESULTS
Serum levels of LH, FSH, E2, and P in the female mice treated with ZEA plus saffron were significantly higher than in those treated with ZEA alone, and were not significantly different from those treated with 1% DMSO. The female mice treated with ZEA alone showed a reduction in size of the uterus and abnormal architecture of the ovaries.
CONCLUSION
The administration of saffron to female mice resulted in a significant reduction in ZEA-induced alterations in reproductive hormone levels, the size of the uterus, and the morphology of the ovaries.

Keyword

Antioxidants; Mus musculus female mice; Mycotoxicity; Reproductive hormones; Saffron; Zearalenone

MeSH Terms

Animals
Antioxidants
Crocus*
Dimethyl Sulfoxide
Estradiol
Estrogens
Female*
Follicle Stimulating Hormone
Humans
Injections, Intraperitoneal
Luteinizing Hormone
Mice*
Ovary
Progesterone
Uterus
Zea mays
Zearalenone
Antioxidants
Dimethyl Sulfoxide
Estradiol
Estrogens
Follicle Stimulating Hormone
Luteinizing Hormone
Progesterone
Zearalenone