Soheila Ebrahimi - Department of Basic Sciences, Payame Noor University, Iran
Mohammad Kazeminia - Department of Basic Sciences, Payame Noor University, Iran
Sima Nasri - Department of Basic Sciences, Payame Noor University, Iran

Phoenix dactylifera L. has been known as a medicinal plant in the world. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective role of alcoholic extract of Phoenix dactylifera on testis structure and sperm parameters in adult diabetic rats. Thirty adult male NMRI rat were selected and randomly divided into three groups: (i) control; (ii) diabetic; (iii) treatment group. The treatment groups received 0.2 mg/kg hydroalcoholic extract of Phoenix dactylifera daily (gavage) for one month. At the end of experiments, the Rats were anesthetized by injection of pentobarbital sodium (60mg/kg i.p.) and sacrificed. Blood samples were taken from the left ventricle and spermatozoa were collected from the caudal of the right epididymis and analyzed for count, motility, and viability. Blood serum was separated and immediately assayed for LH, FSH, and testosterone by the ELISA method. The other testicular tissues were weighed and prepared for histological examination upon removal. The findings revealed that in the diabetic group, the testicular weight, sperm count, motility, and viability was significantly reduced in comparison with the control group (P<0.001). In addition, seminiferous tubules atrophied and seminiferous epithelial cells disintegrated in the diabetic group in comparison with the control group. However, extract of Phoenix dactylifera improved the testicular structure and sperm parameters in the diabetic rat (p<0.001). According to the results, extract of Phoenix dactylifera may improve and protect rat sperm parameters and testis structure in the diabetic rats

Phoenix dactylifera, Sperm parameters, Testicular structure, Diabetes