Parvaneh Najafizadeh - Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Farzaneh Dehghani - Histomorphometry and Stereology Research Center, Department of Anatomy, Medical School, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Mohammadreza Panjeh Shahin - Department of Pharmacology,Medical School, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran Medicinal and Natural Products Chemistry Research Center, Medical School, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Sommaye Hamzei Taj - Medicinal and Natural Products Chemistry Research Center, Medical School, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

Background: Olive (Olea europea), from the Oleaceae family, is known as a phytoestrogen plant compound, containing Lignans and phenolic compounds. Some studies have shown phytoestrogens to have spermatogenesis-decreasing effects. Objective: The present study investigated the effects of a hydro-alcoholic extract of olive fruit on reproductive argons in male rats. Materials and Methods: The hydro-alcoholic olive (Olea europaea) extract was given orally to three experimental groups of rats in 50, 150, and 450 mg/kg in 48 days. The vehicle group was fed with normal saline and nothing was given to the control group (each group with 8 rats). After 49 days reproductive indicators i.e., sperm count, sperm motility, the weight of prostate, testis, epididymis, and seminal vesicle were measured. Results: The results showed a significant decrease in the weights of the left testicle, seminal vesicle, testosterone hormone, sperm count and sperm motility but there was no significant difference with regard to the weights of prostate and epididymis, and estradiol hormone. Conclusion: This study suggests that olive extract may have deleterious effects on fertility factors; therefore, after further studies, it may be used as a contraceptive in males

Spermatogenesis, Infertility, Phytoestrogens, Olea Europaea