Effects of palm pollen on folliculogenesis process after treatment with cyclophosphamide among rats

Abstract

Background and purpose: Palm pollen is a good source of natural antioxidants and has a high level of health benefits and nutritional value. The purpose of this study was to investigate effects of palm pollen on folliculogenesis process after treatment with cyclophosphamide among rats.
Materials and Methods: This experimental study conducted on 48 adult female  Wistar rats. The mice were randomly divided into 6 groups. The control group was kept without receiving any material and in normal conditions until the end of experiment. The group with cyclophosphamide of 150 mg per kg body weight  received it intraperitoneally. Experimental groups 1 and 2 received palm pollen  extract daily and orally with doses of 200 and 400 mg per kg body weight.
Experimental groups 3 and 4 received palm pollen daily and orally with doses of 200 and 400 mg per kg body weight along with 150 mg per kg body weight  cyclophosphamide intraperitoneally. Blood samples were taken from all the groups at the end of fourth week and after anesthesia. The blood serum was isolated and sent to the laboratory for measuring serum concentrations of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. The ovaries also were examined after weighing and tissue cutting via a light microscope.
Findings: The average weight of ovaries as well as the number of secondary and graafian follicles in the cyclophosphamide group indicated a significant decrease compared to the control group. However, the average weight of ovaries as well as the number of secondary and graafian follicles in experimental groups 1, 2, 3 and 4 revealed a significant increase than the cyclophosphamide group (p <0.05).  Average serum concentrations of hormones estrogen and progesterone in the group receiving cyclophosphamide decreased significantly compared to the control group. But, serum concentrations of estrogen in experimental groups 1, 2, 3 and 4 and the average of progesterone in the experimental groups 1 and 2 increased significantly
compared to the cyclophosphamide group (p <0.05).
Conclusion: According to the results of this study, aqueous extract of pal pollen has improved cyclophosphamide damaging effects on the folliculogenesis process among rats.

Keywords: palm pollen. cyclophosphamide. folliculogenesis, rat.