In vitro investigation of the effects of Ferula Elaeochytris Korovin (çakşir) root extract on human sperm parameters

on human sperm parameters under in vitro conditions. The study was designed as a prospective cross-sectional study. Semen samples were collected from 36 normozoospermic male patients, aged between 20 and 42 years, who applied to the Andrology Laboratory of the IVF Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Selçuk University, for routine semen analysis and met the World Health Organization (WHO) 2010 criteria. These samples were randomly divided into six groups: Control (G1), vehicle control (PBS, G2), Silymarin-treated group (G3), and Ferula elaeochytris Korovin extract-treated groups at low (20 μL, G4), medium (50 μL, G5), and high doses (100 μL, G6). All groups were incubated for 30 minutes, followed by evaluation of sperm function, apoptosis, DNA integrity, mitochondrial activity, and biochemical parameters. The mean age of the participants was 30.67 ± 4.85 years. Significant differences were observed among the groups in terms of progressive motility (p=0.019), rapid progressive motility (p=0.003), and non-progressive motility (p=0.019). No statistically significant differences were found in DNA integrity (p=0.969) or apoptotic index (p=0.062). Similarly, no significant differences were detected in vitality (p=0.220) or mitochondrial activity (p=0.728). However, significant differences were found in total antioxidant status (TAS) (p=0.001) and total oxidant status (TOS) (p=0.001) among the groups. In our study, the effects of Ferula elaeochytris Korovin extract on sperm motility, vitality, apoptotic rate, DNA integrity, and biochemical parameters were evaluated based on different dose levels in semen samples obtained from normozoospermic individuals under in vitro conditions. The findings indicated that low and moderate doses did not induce toxic effects on sperm parameters, whereas the high dose had adverse effects, particularly on progressive motility. Additionally, Silymarin treatment enhanced antioxidant capacity and supported cellular defense mechanisms. These results suggest that Ferula elaeochytris may offer potential benefits at controlled doses, but may pose a risk of spermatotoxicity at higher concentrations.