Introduction: Nicotine, a major component of cigarette smoke, alters ovarian function and Ajwa (Phoenix dactylifera) being an antioxidant prevents its toxicity.
Aims & Objectives: This experimental study was designed to evaluate protective effect of Ajwa against ovarian toxicity induced by nicotine in adult albino rats.
Place and duration of study: The study was conducted in the Department of Anatomy, Federal Postgraduate Medical Institute, Shaikh Zayed Medical Complex, Lahore for duration of 3 months (January 2017-March 2017).
Material & Methods: 40 adult female albino rats were divided into four equal groups. 1ml distilled water was given to the rats of control (A) group by gastric intubation, experimental group B was given nicotine injection intraperitoneally (0.1 mg/kg body weight) for 28 days. The rats of experimental group C were given Ajwa fruit extract 1gm/kg body weight daily by gastric intubation, while rats of experimental group D were given 0.1mg/kg body weight nicotine intraperitoneally plus 1gm/kg body weight Ajwa fruit extract by gastric intubation for 28 days.
Results: In group B, secondary and Graafian follicles were mostly atrophic, degeneration of granulosa cells, pyknotic nuclei and stromal vacuolization were present. Zona pellucida was torn and irregular. Mean diameters of secondary and Graafian follicles were significantly lower in nicotine group B (p-value<0-001*). Experimental group C revealed normal histological architecture and diameter of ovarian follicles. Near normal restoration of follicular structure was seen in group D.
Conclusion: Ajwa fruit extract is counterbalancing for nicotine induced oxidative stress in ovarian follicles of rat, so it may be useful to improve infertility or sub-fertility induced by smoking in females.
Collaborative work on evaluation of ovarian toxicity 17) Two- or four-week repeated-dose studies and fertility study of sulpiride in female rats