In this study, thirty-two adult male mice were divided into four groups control and experimental treat- ment groups received crocin at 4, 20, and 100 mg/kg daily for six weeks. As result,the testosterone level was increased significantly from 18.5 ng/dl in the control to 49.3 ng/dl in the group that received crocin at 20 mg/kg. The regular features of seminiferous tubules with increased Sertoli cells have been observed in the 20mg/kg crocin group. In the group that received crocin at 100 mg/kg, many of the seminiferous tubules were atrophic, spermatogenic cells were discontinuous in the same areas while the space among them has been increased, and fewer interstitial tissue between seminiferous tubules was observed. These changes were markedly advanced by increasing the number of atrophied seminiferous tubules. Electron microscopic results showed the large mitochondria with normal crista and dilated rough endoplasmic reticu- lum in spermatid cells of the 20 mg/kg crocin group. In the 100 mg/kg crocin group,most of the cell cytoplasm showed vacuolated mitochondria with patchy matrix and dis- torted vision cristae, with many lysosomes, lipid droplets, and vacuoles. Some sperms had abnormal swollen nuclear and irregular wavy acrosomal systems. The results of the present study showed that crocin at 20 mg/kg has a protective effect on the germinal epithelium of seminiferous tubules while at 100 mg/kg had destructive effects on the histological structure of the treated mice testi- cles. In conclusion, treating healthy male mice with crocin 20 and 100 mg/kg for six weeks increased the testosterone con- centration while 100 mg/kg damaged the testicle’s structure.

Keywords