Date palm pollen extract improves fertility and pregnancy outcomes in letrozole-induced polycystic ovary syndrome rats.

Abstract

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a condition marked by hormonal imbalances, metabolic dysfunctions & genetic predispositions; presenting with symptoms such as anovulation, hyperandrogenism, irregular menstruation, hirsutism, acne, alopecia and infertility. This study assessed the therapeutic effects of date palm pollen (DPP) extract on a rat PCOS model. Twenty-four prepubertal female rats were divided into four groups: control, received saline; PCOS, was given letrozole (1 mg/kg/day for 21 days) to induce PCOS; DPP, received extract (200 mg/kg/day for 21 days)& Group 4 was first induced with letrozole, followed by DPP extract treatment. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome induction resulted a significant decline in follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), progesterone& estrogen (E2) levels, with a concurrent increase in luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone& insulin levels. Date palm pollen treatment restored hormonal balance, increasing FSH, progesterone, and E2 while decreasing LH, testosterone, and insulin. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome was also associated with oxidative stress, evidenced by lower catalase (CAT) activity and glutathione (GSH) levels, and higher malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, which were improved by DPP treatment. Apoptosis markers (caspase-3 and annexin V) and inflammatory mediators (TNF-alpha and IL-6) were elevated in PCOS but were reduced with DPP treatment. Histologically, DPP-treated PCOS rats exhibited fewer cystic follicles, a higher proportion of healthy follicle types, and improved corpus luteum counts. Additionally, the DPP-treated females showed higher significantly pregnancy rate than the untreated PCOS rats. In conclusion DPP extract alleviates the hormonal and tissue abnormalities in PCOS, offering potential as a therapeutic agent for managing PCOS symptoms and improving fertility outcomes.