Ulmus Minor Bark Hydro-Alcoholic Extract Amelio-rates Histological Parameters and Testosterone Level in an Experimental Model of PCO Rats

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common and multifactorial disease associated with female factor infer-tility. Ulmus minor bark (UMB) is one of the medicinal plants used in Persian folklore as a fertility enhancer. In the current study, we aimed to elucidate the effect of UMB hydro-alcoholic extract on histological parameters and testosterone condition in an experimental model of PCOS rats.Materials and Methods: Thirty female rats were randomly di-vided into five groups: (1) control, (2) vehicle, (3) PCOS/50 mg [6 mg/kg dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) + 50 mg/kg UMB hydro-alcoholic extract], (4) PCOS/150 mg (6 mg/kg DHEA + 150 mg/kg UMB hydro-alcoholic extract), and (5) PCOS (6mg/ kg DHEA). All interventions were performed for 21 days. Af-terwards, stereological analysis was done for determination of ovarian volume and follicle number. The serum level of testos-terone was measured by ELISA kit.Results: Results: UMB hydro-alcoholic extract improved the total number of the corpus luteum in the treatment groups when compared to the PCOS group (P<0.05). PCOS/150 mg and PCOS/50 mg groups showed significantly lower total number of the primordial, primary, and secondary follicles as well as testosterone level compared to the PCOS group (P<0.05). The total number of antral follicles and volume of ovary did not dif-fer significantly between groups.Conclusion: UMB extract may be an effective and good alter-native in improving PCOS histological and testosterone distur-bances although further studies are warranted to confirm the safety of UMB plant in human.

Keywords:

Ovary , PCOS , Stereology , Ulmus minor Bark (UMB) , Testosterone