A comparative study of saffron aqueous extract and its active ingredient, crocin on the in vitro maturation, in vitro fertilization, and in vitro culture of mouse oocytes

Objective: Reactive oxygen species have effects on gamete quality and gamete interaction; they influence spermatozoa. oocytes, embryos, and their environment. In this study, we evaluated the antioxidant effect of different concentrations of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) aqueous extract (SAE) and its ingredient crocin, on the improvement of in vitro maturation (IVM) and subsequent in vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo development of mouse oocytes. Materials and methods: Cumulus oocyte complexes were collected from ovaries, and germinal vesicle oocytes were cultured in the presence of SAE and crocin. SAE was added at dosages of 5 mu g/mL, 10 mu g/mL, and 40 mu g/mL; dosages of crocin were 50 mu g/mL, 100 mu g/mL, and 400 mu g/mL. All dosages were added to maturation medium and a group without SAE or crocin was considered as the control group. Following IVM, metaphase II oocytes were fertilized and cultured in vitro in order to observe embryo development. Results: Both SAE and croon improved the rate of IVM, IVF, and in vitro culture. Addition of 40 mu g/mL SAE to maturation medium significantly increased the rate of IVM, IVF, and in vitro culture (p < 0.05). Furthermore 100 mu g/mL crocin significantly increased the IVM rate compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Use of SAE during IVM can affect on IVM. IVF, and early embryo development in a dose-dependent manner. SAE appears to have a stronger effect than pure crocin. Copyright (C) 2014, Taiwan Association of Obstetrics & Gynecology. Published by Elsevier Taiwan LLC. All rights reserved.