Aqueous extract of Phoenix dactylifera pollen powder elevates serum levels of sex hormones and enhances fertility in female albino rats: a biochemical and histological study

Infertility is mostly caused by ovulatory factors, abnormalities along the female reproductive tract and hormonal balance, amongst others. Plant extracts and herbs have been used to treat fertility by mitigating female fertility issues. Date palm pollen (DPP) is useful in managing male fertility. This study undertakes to investigate its effect on the histology of female reproductive organs and hormones. 25 nulliparous albino rats were divided into 4 groups and administered DPP for 28 days at varying concentrations. The rats in all groups were sacrificed, except 5 rats from the last group, which were left for 14 days without administering DPP to determine the effect of withdrawal on the hormonal levels. Reproductive organs were harvested and processed via routine histological techniques and serum reproductive hormones concentration was analyzed. DPP significantly increased serum FSH and progesterone concentration, but had no significant effect on estrogen and LH levels. Morphometric assessment of the female reproductive organs revealed that DPP increased uterine weight and height, as well as ovarian weight, height and width. Histological analysis revealed numerous secondary follicles in treated groups, with numerous glands in the uterine stroma compared to the control group. The number decreased after DPP administration was discontinued. DPP increased collagen fibers in treated groups compared to the control group. The presence of gonad-stimulating compounds enhanced DPP’s performance in increasing fertility in the current study.