Effect of Phoenix Dactylifera Pollen on Sperm Parameters and Reproductive system of Adult Male Rats

Background: there is a rapidly growing trend in the consumptionof herbal remedies in the developing countries. thephoenix dactyli/era date palm pollen (dpp) is used in the traditionalmedicine for male infertility. the aim of this studywas to determine the effects of orally administered dpp on thereproductive system of adult male rats.methods: fifty sprague-dawley rats were maintained accordingto standard laboratory conditions. they were divided intofive groups (n=io) and received daily gavages of aqueous suspensionsdpp containing 30, 60, 120 and 240 mg/kg, for 35consecutive days. at the end the sperm was collected from ductusdeferens under anesthesia and their numbers, motility, andmorphology were determined under light microscopy. thedna integrity or denaturation was also evaluated by acridineorange staining. the weight of the testis and reproductive appendageswas also determined, and after tissue processing, theirhistology were studied by light microscope.results: the comparative evaluation between control and experimentalgroups revealed that consumption of dpp suspensionsimproved the sperm count, motility, morphology, anddna quality with a concomitant increase in the weights oftestis and epididymis. it did not significantly affect the weightof the prostate and the seminal vesicle or the histology of thereproductive tissues.conclusion: date palm pollen seems to cure male infertilityby improving the quality of sperm parameters. however, furtherstudies are needed to see its beneficial effects in man.