THE EFFECT OF AJWA DATES FRUIT EXTRACT ON OVARIAN FOLLICLE DEVELOPMENT IN FEMALE RATS EXPOSED TO ARSENICHERDHIKA A.R. KUSUMASARI, HARWIN H DESYANTI, MAHANUTABAH H. QURNIATILLAH AND EVIANA NORAHMAWATIAbstract Arsenic trioxide (As2O3) is a form of inorganic arsenic which is very toxic in the environment. Arsenic exposure can cause reproductive health problems, one of which is the ovaries, by interfering with follicle development. Arsenic exposure causes oxidative stress in the ovaries due to the accumulation of excessive Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and an imbalance between ROS and antioxidants in the body. The powerful antioxidants contained in dates can against the effects of free radicals due to arsenic exposure. The group in this study was divided into a negative control group (without arsenic exposure), positive control (3 mg / kg BW arsenic), T1 (arsenic 3 mg / kg BW + date extract 2 ml/ kg BW), T2 (arsenic 3 mg / kg BW + date extract 4 ml/kg BW), and T3 (arsenic 3 mg/kg BW + date extract 8 ml/kg body weight). The administration of Ajwa date extract could significantly provide antioxidant protection in the treatment group with an increase in follicle count in this study. |