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Evidence-Based Supplement Research
Evidence-Based Supplement Research

Effects of Date Palm Pollen Supplementations on The Expression of PRDX1 and PRDX6 Genes in Infertile Men: A Controlled Clinical Trial.

  • 2023-04-01
  • International journal of fertility & sterility 17(3)
    • Ali Mohammad Falahati
    • Soghra Fallahi
    • Zeinab Allamehzadeh
    • Maliheh Izadi Raieni
    • Kianoosh Malekzadeh

Study Design

Type
Clinical Trial
Sample size
n = 40
Population
40 men with infertility (DPP group) and 10 normospermic fertile men as controls
Methods
Controlled clinical trial; DPP group received gelatinous capsules of DPP (400 mg/kg) for 74 days; semen analysis, 8-isoprostane concentration, qRT-PCR for PRDX1 and PRDX6
Blinding
Open-label
Duration
74 days
Funding
Unclear

Background

Accumulating evidences suggest that date palm pollen (DPP) induces antioxidant activity and improves semen parameters in male rats. However, there is a few scientific evidences in support of the DPP effects on human male fertility. Hence, the effect of oral consumption of DPP on sperm parameters and expression pattern of Peroxiredoxin- 1 (PRDX1) and Peroxiredoxin-6 (PRDX6) genes was evaluated in men with infertility.

Materials and methods

The current controlled clinical trial included 40 men with infertility (DPP group) and 10 normospermic fertile men as controls. The DPP group received gelatinous capsules of DPP (400 mg/kg) for 74 days. Semen sampling was done before and after treatment in the both groups. Semen analysis and 8-isoprostane concentration assessments were performed by computer-assisted sperm analysis and ELISA methods, respectively. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) assays were employed to explore expression of PRDX1 and PRDX6 genes.

Results

DPP consumption significantly improved semen volume (P=0.030), count (P<0.001) and morphology of sperm (P=0.023). Concentration of 8-isoprostane was significantly decreased after intervention in the DPP group (P<0.001). DPP consumption led to a significant elevation in the expression of PRDX1 and PRDX6 genes (P<0.001). Elevated gene expression of PRDX6 and PRDX1 was positively correlated with improved parameters of sperm including count, volume, motility and morphology.

Conclusion

Taken together, DPP seems to promote sperm quality through a decrease in reactive oxygen species (ROS) by increasing expression of antioxidant genes. Further large-scale studies are required to challenge this hypothesis (registration number: IRCT2015021221014N2).

Research Insights

  • DPP consumption led to a significant elevation in the expression of PRDX1 and PRDX6 genes (P<0.001).

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Large
    Dose
    400 mg/kg
  • DPP consumption led to a significant elevation in the expression of PRDX1 and PRDX6 genes (P<0.001).

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Large
    Dose
    400 mg/kg
  • DPP consumption significantly improved semen volume (P=0.030), count (P<0.001) and morphology of sperm (P=0.023).

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
    Dose
    400 mg/kg
  • DPP consumption significantly improved semen volume (P=0.030), count (P<0.001) and morphology of sperm (P=0.023).

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Large
    Dose
    400 mg/kg
  • DPP consumption significantly improved semen volume (P=0.030), count (P<0.001) and morphology of sperm (P=0.023).

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
    Dose
    400 mg/kg
  • Elevated gene expression of PRDX6 and PRDX1 was positively correlated with improved parameters of sperm including count, volume, motility and morphology.

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    400 mg/kg
  • Concentration of 8-isoprostane was significantly decreased after intervention in the DPP group (P<0.001).

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Large
    Dose
    400 mg/kg
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