Histomorphometrical changes of rat uterine and ovarian tissues fed chloroform fraction of dill (Anethum graveolens L.) extracts

The effects of dill (Anethum graveolensL.) seed extracts have studied previously. Study of different fractions of an extract helps us to understand which one of its components act on target organs. In this study, 42 female rats were divided into 6 groups of control, sham, and low (0.5, 0.045 g/kg) and high (5, 0.45 g/kg) doses of chloroform fraction of dill seed aqueous and ethanol extracts.During 10 days, rats received 1ml of extracts, then uterus and ovary were removed and their histological sections were prepared, stained by H&E and Masson’s trichrome and then morphometry was performed. Glycoconjugates of cell surface of reproductive organs were stained bylectins DBA, PNA, UEA, ConA and SBA) and their intensity ofreactions were measured by Imag-Java software. Morphological studies showed that uterine diameter was decreased in low dose of aqueous extract and high dose of ethanol extract. Myometrial diameter was decreased by high dose of ethanol extract. Histological studies using lectin ConA revealed lower intensity of reactions of oocyte cell membrane, endometrial and myometrial layers in high dose of ethanol extract treated group compared to the control group. It was concluded that chloroform fraction of dill extracts can affect female reproductive organs.