Maternal prolactin level and body weight of offspring following administration of ethanolic fruit extract of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) during lactation

Objective: This research was carried out to evaluate the maternal prolactin (PRL) level and body weight of offspring of rats administered ethanolic fruit extract of Phoenix dactylifera during lactation. Materials and Methods: A total of twenty female Wistar rats weighing between 150 and 200 g were used. They were distributed randomly to four groups of five rats each. The groups were labeled A–D. Group A served as the control group and received distilled water only, whereas Groups B–D received 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg body weight of the extract, respectively, for 21 days through oral route. On day 22, blood samples were collected from the animals through cardiac puncture under anesthesia, and the serum PRL level was determined. The weights of the litters were determined with an electronic weighing balance, at birth and at 7-day interval for 21 days. Results: No statistically significant change (P 0.05) in serum PRL level and body weight of the offspring was observed in Group B when compared with that of the control. However, test Groups C and D showed a statistically significant increase (P < 0.05) in maternal serum PRL levels as well as body weight of the offspring when compared with that of the control. Conclusion: This study has shown that fruit extract of P. dactylifera L. increased PRL secretion as well as growth and development of the offspring.