BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Infertility is a major problem in medical science due to low amount of sexual cells. Herbal and chemical medicines are used to treat this disease. Due to the side effects of chemical drugs in treatment of infertility, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of parsley leaf on testis weight and sexual dynastic cells.

METHODS: In this experimental study, 50 adult male rats were used. Animals were divided into control, sham and 3 experimental groups receiving 1, 1.5 and 2 g/kg extract of parsley leaf. Prescriptions were performed as gavage for 28 days. At the end of period, the testes were removed and after measuring body weight and testes, sexual dynastic cells were counted.

FINDINGS: Results indicated that parsley leaf extract caused a significant increase in body weight of experimental groups receiving minimum dose of 1gr/kg (247.9±11.45) and medium dose of 1.5gr/kg (259.6±8.89) hydro-alcoholic extract of parsley leaf and caused a significant increase in left testis weight in experimental groups receiving medium dose of 1.5g/kg (1.386±0.0581) and maximum dose of 2g/kg (1.320±0.0369) hydro-alcoholic extract of parsley leaf in compared to control group (p≤0.05). Also it caused a significant increase in the number of spermatocytes cells at every three dose, spermatids, sperm and sertoli cells at medium and maximum doses (p≤0.05).

CONCLUSION: Parsley leaf caused an increase in weight and sexual dynastic cells by 5alpha-reductase and aromatase inhibition, reinforcing antioxidant defense and reducing oxidative stresses.