Effects of Phoenix dactylifera on the prostate and seminal vesicle of Wistar rats

Phoenix dactylifera, a member of the family Arecaceae, is a highly nutritious fruit that is rich in vitamins, simple sugars, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, carotenoids and steroids. The study is aimed at evaluating the possible effects of P. dactylifera on the prostate and seminal vesicle of Wistar rats so that it can be suggested for use in the treatment of infertility or as a natural male contraceptive. Twenty male Wistar rats were used for the study; they were divided into four groups of five rats each, group 1 served as the control and were given distilled water while groups 2 to 4 (experimental groups) received the extract at 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg body weight orogastrically for 35 days. On the 36th day, all the rats were sacrificed using cervical dislocation method and the prostate gland and seminal vesicles were dissected, weighed and processed for light microscopic study. The results showed degeneration of prostate connective tissue and distorted glands in rats treated with the extract compared to that of the control. The seminal vesicles of rats treated with the extract showed no difference as compared to that of the control. In conclusion, the extract might affect sperm function by reducing sperm quality and viability as secretions from prostate helps in creating an alkaline pH that resist the acidity of the vaginal fluids. Therefore, P. dactylifera fruits might be used as a natural male contraceptive if the effects are found to be reversible in Human prostate.   Key words: Prostate, seminal vesicle, Wistar rats, P. dactylifera, sperm quality, semen.