The pharmaceutical efferct of date palm fruit extract (Phoenix dactylifera L.) against amitraz-induced infertility in male rats

The present study was aimed to investigate the potential protective effect of aqueous extracts of the flesh of dates (Phoenix dactylifera L.) against amitraz-induced infertility in male rats.  100 male Sprague-Dawley rats (120-150 g) were used. The animals were randomly divided into 4 groups  as follows:  Group 1, control animals were given free access to food and water, group 2 received dates extract (1/10 w/v) , group 3   received 1/20 of LD50 amitraz and group 4 received dates extract and the same dose of amitraz as in group 3. Infertility was investigated by examining sperm count, viability, and motility. Estimated levels of testosterone, estradiol and histopathological analysis were also done. The present results showed significant decrease in sperms count,  motility and viability in  group III rats that received  amitraz (P<0.001), increased  percentage of sperm cell abnormalities and decreased serum estradiol and testosterone hormones to 49.8+3.2 and 1.5±0.20 ng/dL versus 56.7+2.4 and 3.3 ±0.37 ng/dL respectively  compared with control. Histopathological examination of the testes also showed marked degeneration of spermatogenic cells associated with interstitial necrosis and blood vessel congestion. Spermatogenic cells and cellular debris were present in the seminiferous tubules lumen associated with moderate degeneration of spermatogenic cells lining of some seminiferous tubules with interstitial diffuse edema. The current results documented that date palm fruit extract possessed an anti-oxidant and anti-infertility effect. We concluded  that amitraz-induced testis damage in rats can be ameliorated by administration of date palm fruit extract. Keywords: Amitraz, dates palm, testis, testosterone, infertility