Investigating the Protective Effects of Hydroethanolic Extract of Palm Meristem on Spermatogenesis in Male Wistar Rats Induced with Lead Acetate

Lead is an environmental pollutant and has destructive effects on the functioning of various body systems such as the reproductive system. The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective effect of hydroethanolic extract of palm meristem on the process of spermatogenesis in male Wistar rats induced with lead acetate.

In the present experimental study conducted in 2023, 35 male Wistar rats with 200-220g were used and divided in five groups: Control (received water and normal food), positive control (received palm meristem extract with a dose of 500 mg/kg, ip), witness (received lead acetate 0.5 gr/ L, in drinking water) and Treatment 1 and 2 (receiver of lead acetate, 0.5 gr/ L, in drinking water and palm meristem extract with a dose of 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg, ip, respectively).The experiments were conducted  for 2 weeks. At the end of the experiments, blood and serum were taken from the animals to measure testosterone, LH and FSH hormones, then sperm count and testicular histological samples were evaluated. Collected data were analyzed using Kolmogorov-Smironov statistical tests, one-way analysis of variance within the subject and Tukey's post hoc test.

The results of the present study indicated that lead acetate causes destruction and necrosis in the testicular tissue of rats. It correspondingly caused a significant decrease in the number of sperms and the serum level of testosterone hormone (P<0.001). Palm meristem's extract protected the testicular tissue and increased the process of spermatogenesis in the treatment groups compared to the witness group. Testosterone hormone increased significantly in the treatment groups compared to the witness group (P<0.05).

The hydroethanolic extract of palm meristem had a protective effect on the testicular tissue of rats against the toxic effects of lead acetate.