HISTOMORPHOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF DATE PALM SEED (PHOENIX DACTYLIFERA L.) ON MAMMARY GLAND OF PREGNANT FEMALE RATS

The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of ethanolic AL-Zahdy date seed extract (ZSE) on the growth and development of the mammary gland (MG) in female rats during pregnancy. 20 healthy pregnant female rats weighted (160-180) g were used, they divided into four groups (5/ each) according to ZSE daily oral dose including: control group was administrated tap water, 200mg group was administrated of 200 mg/kg B.W ZSE, 400 mg group were administrated of 400 mg/kg B.W, ZSE and 800 mg group were administrated of 800 mg/kg B.W, ZSE. For histological examination two stains were used Hematoxylin and Eosin and Massonʼs Trichrom and also some histometric measurements were utilized. The histological results showed that the glandular tissue appeared positive correlation with ZSE dose, so that cellular hyperplasia and enlargement of lobules and alveoli on account of connective tissue (CT) with high secretory activity in 200mg and 400mg group except in 800mg group when it appeared enlargement of lobules but the alveoli were small with nearly empty of secretion. Thus, histometrical results showed that the diameter of lobules, alveoli, inter and intralobular duct as well as to number of alveoli increased significantly in ZSE groups in compared to control one. In conclusion, the ZSE had positive effects on mammary gland at doses 200 and 400 mg/ kg B.W in pregnancy period.