Date Palm Pollen versus Pentoxifylline on Improvement of Sperm Parameters in Idiopathic Male Infertility

Abstract

Background: Idiopathic male infertility (IMI) affects nearly 30 to 45% of men in their optimal reproductive age. In this regard, there are no evidence-based medications prescribed empirically to treat IMI. However, applying traditional medicine for the treatment of male infertility has attracted more attention in recent years. In the current study, the effects of date palm pollen (DPP) on sperm parameters in patients with idiopathic infertility were evaluated and compared to pentoxifylline (PTX). Materials and methods: This study was performed on 80 adult male individuals (20-35 years old) who had oligozoospermia and/or asthenozoospermia and/or teratozoospermia. Patients received 6g DPP powder or 400 mg PTX tablets daily for three months in two separated groups (each in 40). Various sperm parameters and levels of sex hormones were measured. Results: Compared to the PTX group, results revealed a significant improvement in sperm counts (p=0.016), morphology (p=0.029), total motility (p=0.018), progressive motility (p=0.016) and reduction of immotile sperms (p=0.014) in patients who received DPP treatment. Conclusion Iranian Traditional Medicine (ITM) strongly recommended DPP as a therapeutic agent to cure IMI through improvement in the functional competence of sperm and semen parameters.