EFFECTS OF SANDFISH (Scincus scincus) ON TESTOSTERONE SECRETION AND SPERM QUALITY

Abstract

The main objective of this study is to examine the effect of sandfish (Scincus scincus) on testosterone secretion, abundance and sperm quality. Twenty adult male rats whose body weight ranges from 150 to 210 g were used in this study. The rats were divided into four groups, the Control group (C) skink body (SB), skink head (SH) and the group who received fertility drugs (D). Rats’ testosterone level, abundance, motility of spermatozoa and testicular histology were used as indices to their sexual function. The obtained results showed an increase in the rats’ body weight, relative weight of the testes and testosterone level, 4.40 and 4.42 ng / ml for the SB and SH respectively compared to the C group. Similarly, the results revealed a high abundance of spermatozoa in the lumen of the seminiferous tubes and an increase in concentration (235.37x106 / ml) and sperm motility (62%) of the SB and SH rats. The obtained results indicated that Scincus scincus is a natural aphrodisiac with a great nutritional value.