Project Abstract

Abstract
Phoenix dactylifera, commonly known as date palm, is a well-known plant with various medicinal properties. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Phoenix dactylifera on the reproductive organs and hormonal profiles of male Wistar rats. Thirty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups control, low dose (200 mg/kg), and high dose (400 mg/kg) of Phoenix dactylifera extract. The rats were orally administered the extract daily for 28 days. At the end of the treatment period, the rats were euthanized, and their reproductive organs were collected for histological analysis. Blood samples were also collected to assess the hormonal profiles. Histological examination of the reproductive organs, including the testes, epididymis, and prostate, revealed no significant changes in the control and low dose groups compared to the high dose group. However, in the high dose group, there was a noticeable decrease in the diameter of seminiferous tubules in the testes, as well as a reduction in the number of Leydig cells. These findings suggest a possible dose-dependent effect of Phoenix dactylifera on the male reproductive system. Analysis of hormonal profiles showed that rats in the high dose group had significantly lower levels of testosterone and luteinizing hormone (LH) compared to the control group. However, there were no significant differences in follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels between the groups. These results indicate that Phoenix dactylifera may have a suppressive effect on testosterone production and LH secretion in male rats, particularly at higher doses. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that Phoenix dactylifera extract may have dose-dependent effects on the reproductive organs and hormonal profiles of male Wistar rats. While low doses appear to have minimal impact, high doses of the extract were associated with histological changes in the testes and alterations in testosterone and LH levels. Further research is warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms responsible for these effects and to determine the potential implications for male reproductive health.

Project Overview

Phoenix dactylifera (Date palm) belongs to the family Arecaceae and its leaves, barks, pits, fruits and pollens have anticancer, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral activities. It is rich in antioxidants, vitamins, steroids, flavonoid, saponins and simple sugars.The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of aqueous extract of dry date palm fruit on some reproductive organs and hormonal profiles of male Wistar rats. Twenty (20) male Wistar rats were divided into four groups of five rats each. Group I serve as the control and received distilled water while three (3) experimental groups (II, III and IV) were treated with aqueous extract of Phoenix dactylifera at250 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg and 1000mg/kg body weight respectively orogastrically once daily for 35 days. At the end of the experiment, the Wistar rats were sacrificed using cervical dislocation andblood samples were collectedthrough cardiac puncture for hormonal assay [testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH)]. Semen were collected from right epididymis and counted; smears were made and stained with cresyl violent and fuelgen stain for sperm morphology.The testes, left epididymis, seminal vesicles and prostate glands were dissected, weighed and processed for light microscopic study;Morphometric analysis wasperformed to measure seminiferous tubular diameter, size of interstices and epididymal epithelial thickness.The result showed significant decrease in serum testosterone levels,sperm count, sperm motility and spermmorphology with decrease in size of interstices and epididymal epithelial thickness, distortion of spermatogenic cells, epididymal epithelium and prostate gland with degeneration of Leydig cells in rats treated with Phoenix dactylifera extract as compared to that of the controlat P≤0.05with no effect on FSH and LH. In conclusion, the aqueous extract of dry date palm fruit have the potentials of causing infertility in male Wistar rats by affecting Leydig cells, thereby decreasing serum testosterone levels, sperm count, motility and morphology.