Jerusalem, April 17: Israeli researchers say venom
from spiders could increase male virility, after discovering
that men bitten by the eight-legged crawler experience
unusually prolonged erections.
The discovery by researchers at Israel's Rambam Medical
Centre has prompted a study to determine whether toxins
secreted by spiders can improve male sexual performance,
'Yediot Ahronot' newspaper reported.
"This study is the first of its kind and may help many
men," Dr Ilan Gruenwald of the Rambam Neurobiology Unit was
quoted as saying.
Three types of spiders from south America and Africa,
including the notorious Black Widow, which is known to eat its
male partner after mating, will be bred in a special habitat
and have their venom milked, he explained.
Men will not have to be bitten in order to enjoy the
venom-induced virility, Gruenwald added.
Bureau Report
First Published: Tuesday, April 17, 2007, 00:00