@2024 Afarand., IRAN

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ISSN: 2252-0805    The Horizon of Medical Sciences 2014;20(3):139-143

Background
… [1-4] Phoenix dactylifera is a medical herb. Proteins, lipids, sugars, materials from camphor family, phytosterols, and 3 kinds of coumarin have been detected in the flowers of phoenix dactylifera [5]. … [6-11] In male and female persons, sexual desire increases due to compounds of date such as alkaloids, saponin, and flavonoids that affect central nervous system and stimulate dopamine secretion, as well as they activate mesolimbic system and the nucleus accumbens [12, 13].
Previous Studies
Aqueous extract of palm pollen increases the ratio of male infants to the females [6]. Date extract affects sperm parameters and reproductive system of adult male rats [8]. Palm pollen increases albomoin, total protein, and blood lipids in rats that their ovaries have been removed [14].
Aim(s)
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of aqueous extract of palm pollen on the rate of sexual hormones and number of ovarian follicles in adult female BALB/c rats.
Research type
This is an experimental study.
Research society, place and time
Adult female BALB/c rats weighed approximately 30-35g and kept at the animal home of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences (Iran) were studied in 2012.
Sampling method and number
40 BALB/c rats were studied.
Used devices&materials
The rats were kept at 22±2°c room under 12-hour light/darkness cycle. The samples were divided into five 8-sample groups including “control”, “instance”, and three experimental groups receiving 100, 200, and 400mg per kg of body weight of the aqueous extract of palm pollen, in turn. Production of aqueous extract of palm pollen was through dissolving fine pollen in distilled water, at first and then riling well the solution 30min in 40°c bain marie, to form a homogeneous mixture. After 48 hours storage at room temperature (in the laboratory), the mixture was filtered and dried (using rotary evaporation device) and then, enough extract was collected. Control group received no treatment. Instance group received 21-day intra-peritoneal administration of physiologic serum (oogenesis period) as the medication solvent. The experimental groups received 21-day intra-peritoneal administration of determined doses of aqueous extract of palm pollen. At the end of the experiment period, the rats being anaesthetized, blood was taken from their hearts. Testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone were measured through RIA method, using ‘NP4 plus’ Elisa reading device (Hiperion; Germany) and kit (DRG; Germany). The ovaries being removed and after tissue sections had been prepared using ‘1512’ rotary microtome devise (LEIYZ; Australia) and stained through H&E method, number of ovarian follicles was determined, using light microscope (Nikon; Japan) [15]. Normality of the results of follicle count was confirmed by Kolmogorov–Smirnov test. Results of hormonal assays were analyzed, using SPSS 18 software and One-way ANOVA and Duncan's Multiple Range tests. … [16]
Findings by Text
There was a significant increase in testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone in experimental group “3” (receiving 400 mg/kg palm pollen extract) than control group, only. There was a significant increase in secondary follicles number and antral follicles number in experimental group “3” than control group, only (Table 1).
Main comparison to the similar studies
400mg/kg aqueous extract of palm pollen significantly increased estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone, as well as secondary and antral follicles. Date increases estradiol in both healthy and ovariectomized rats; and it increases progesterone in healthy female rats, and to some extent in the ovaiectomized rats [17]. Palm pollen extract increases the plasma levels of progesterone and estrogen, while it does not affect FSH and LH levels [18]. … [19] Date pollen extract increases FSH and LH [12, 20]. Palm pollen has stradiol, estrone, and estriol compounds that increase fertility and plasma concentration of stradiol [21]. Intra-pretoneal injection of palm pollen results in testosterone, stradiol, and gonadotropins increase in both males and females [22].
Suggestions
Due to significant increase in secondary and antral follicles in experimental group receiving 400mg/kg doses, more studies should be done to administrate it as a medication in treatment of some kinds of infertility and sexual disabilities in human kind and to increase the number of births in livestock farms.
Limitations
Difficult access to kits for hormone assessment and needed facilities to determine exactly chemical compounds of palm pollen extraction were of limitations for the present study.
Conclusions
400mg/kg aqueous extract of palm pollen increases sexual hormones and numbers of secondary and antral follicles in the adult female rats.
Acknowledgments
The researchers appreciate the manager of Trans-genetic Stem Cells Research Center of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences.
Conflict of interest
Non-declared
Ethical Permissions
All stages were done based on the international laws for laboratory animals. All procedures approved by the Ethics Committee of the university.
Funding Sources
The researchers funded the study.

TABLES and CHARTS

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