الفهرس 
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Abstract
Infertility is a major clinical issue. Worldwide, 8 to 12 percent of couples have fertility problems; male factor is responsible for 50% of these cases. Of the many causes of male infertility is oxidative stress which may be involved in male aging. Aging is among the greatest known risk factors for most human diseases. from the 150,000 people who die each day across the globe, about two thirds die from age-related causes. Aging has a harmful effect on most tissues and organs. One of the most affected systems is the reproductive system. So, the aim of our study was to study the androgenic changes in male rats of different ages and to explore the possible effects of D-limonene on these changes. The study involved (48) male Sprague Dawley rats. Rats were divided into 3 main groups (16 rats in each group). group I: Young sexually immature rats (aged 2-3 weeks) were subdivided into: Sub group Ia: control group (n=8): normal rats maintained on standard rat chow for 4 weeks. Sub group Ib: rats (n=8) supplemented with D-limonene (50 mg/kg) orally daily for 4 weeks. group II: adult sexually mature rats (aged 4-6 months) were subdivided into: Sub group IIa: control group (8 rats) maintained on standard rat chow for 4 weeks. Sub group IIb: 8 rats supplemented with D-limonene (50 mg/kg) orally daily for 4 weeks. Group-III: aged rats (aged 18-24 month) were subdivided into: Sub group IIIa: control group (8 rats): maintained on standard rat chow for 4 weeks. Sub group IIIb: 8 rats supplemented with D-limonene (50 mg/kg) orally daily for 4 weeks. The rats were sacrificed under anesthesia and the blood samples were collected for determination the serum level of FSH, LH and testosterone. At the end of this experiment, the testes were dissected along with the epididymides for determination of oxidative stress markers: malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and reduced glutathione (GSH). And for histopathological examination and immunohistochemistry for androgen receptors. Sperm samples were collected and examined for sperm count, motility and normal morphology by using Computer Assisted sperm analysis (CASA). The present result revealed the following: 1- As compared with immature control rats, adult control rats have significant higher levels of testosterone, FSH, LH, and MDA. Whereas, they show significant lower levels of SOD and GSH level. Concerning the estimated sperm parameters, adult control rats showed significant higher % of motile sperms and % of sperms with normal morphology, as well as significant higher sperm count in sperm sample and in testicular tissue. About androgen receptor, adult control rats showed significant higher % area of stain indicating AR. 2- By comparing the aged control subgroup with the adult control subgroup, the aged control rats have significant higher level of LH, and MDA and significant lower level of testosterone, SOD and GSH level. The aged rats showed significant lower % of motile sperms and % of sperms with normal morphology, as well as lower sperm count in sperm sample and in testicular tissue and lower % area of stain indicating AR. 3- As compared with the immature control rats, immature rats supplemented with D limonene showed significant higher level of testosterone and GSH and significant lower level of MDA. Concerning the sperm parameters, they showed significant higher % of motile sperms, % of sperms with normal morphology, sperm count in sperm sample and sperm count in testicular tissue. 4- As compared with adult control rats, adult rats supplemented with D limonene have significant higher levels of testosterone, SOD and GSH. And significant lower levels of FSH, LH and MDA. Furthermore, they showed significant higher sperm parameters. About the histopathology, the adult supplemented subgroup showed increased thickness of spermatogenic cell layers, more sperms with relative increase in number of Leydig cells as compared with the adult control subgroup. Also, they had significant higher % area of stain indicating AR. 5- As compared with the aged control rats, the aged subgroup supplemented with D-limonene showed significant higher level of testosterone, SOD and GSH. Whereas, they had significant lower level of FSH, LH and MDA. Marked increase in sperm parameters and % area of stain indicating AR were observed in the supplemented subgroup with marked decrease in the degenerative changes in the testicular tissue histopathology. In conclusion, it seems that D-limonene has direct stimulant action on Leydig cells independent on pituitary gonadotropins. It has a great antioxidant effect on the testicular and epididymal tissues improving the all tested sperm parameters in different age groups. It would be recommended to: eat the peel of citrus fruits or to drink citrus fruits juice with its peels or supplement limonene to the diet of aged men and those who exposed to chronic stress in their lives to save, for some extent, their androgenic capacity.