Abstract

Introduction: Busulfan is one of the common cancer treatment drugs with infertility side effects. Fennel and cinnamon are two medicinal plants with fertility enhancement properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of fennel and cinnamon on busulfan induced infertile rats. Materials and Methods: Forty male Wistar rats were divided into four groups including: sham group: healthy rats without intervention, control group: Busulfan treated rats, fennel group: busulfan and fennel extract treated, fennel and cinnamon group: busulfan, fennel and cinnamon extract treatment. Testicular tissues were sampled and the testicular physical parameters and spermatogenesis level were evaluated by H & E staining and optical microscopy imaging. Results: The biggest and the smallest testis lengths were observed in cinnamon + fennel and fennel groups respectively (P < 0.05). The highest and lowest sperm levels were observed in the cinnamon + fennel group and fennel group respectively (P < 0.001). The total average of reproductive cells was the most in the cinnamon + fennel group (208.88) and had the least level in the control group (81.2). Conclusions: The combined extract of fennel and cinnamon significantly protect the testicular tissues against infertility effect of busulfan. However, the fennel extract alone increased the effect of busulfan in rats. © 2019 The Author(s).