EFFECT OF LONG-TERM ADMINISTRATION OF SILDENAFIL CITRATE (VIAGRA) ON SOME SPERM CHARACTERISTICS AND TESTIS ARCHITECTURE OF MALE RATS

Abstract

Sildenafil citrate (Viagra) is an oral medication used to treat male impotence by the inhibition of phosphodiesterase-5 in the corpus cavernosum and subsequent facilitation of penile erection. The side effects of sildenafil citrate have been reported. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of long term administration of sildenafil citrate on some characteristics (sperm count, sperm malformations) and testis architecture of male rats. The results indicated that the oral administration of 50 mg and 100 mg of suldinafil citrate (Viagra) for 8 weeks caused a significant decreased and a significant increased in sperm count and sperm malformations respectively. The results were showed the histopathological changes in testis of male rats treated with 50 mg and 100 mg sildenafil citrate..