Effects of tramadol on superoxide dismutase activity, reduced glutathione, and reproductive parameters in adult male wistar rats

Abstract

Tramadol, an opioid analgesic, has gained widespread use for the management of moderate to severe pain due to its efficacy and relatively favorable safety profile. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of tramadol ingestion on the testes of adult male Wistar rats. A total number of twenty (20) male Wistar rats, were weighed and randomly allocated into four separate groups of five rats each I- IV (a control group and three treatment groups receiving 25 mg/kg, 50 mg/kg, and 75 mg/kg of tramadol respectively) in their home cages for 21 days. The administration was based on the rats' respective body weight, and the oral administration of tramadol was facilitated using an improvised 20 G cannula insulated with a vein scalp needle about 7-8 cm in length. Via cardiac puncture, blood was retrieved from the left ventricle and underwent centrifugation to obtain serum for antioxidant parameters namely superoxide dismutase (% inhibition) and reduced glutathione levels. Sperm parameters such as sperm concentration, viability and pH were carried out using the Wistar rat cauda epididymis. The testes after fixation in formalin passed through routine steps of histological processing and was subsequently stained with Haematoxylin and Eosin stain. Tramadol-treated groups showed a significant increase in SOD activity, expressed as percentage inhibition of superoxide radical with no differences were observed in reduced glutathione levels. Sperm pH remained fairly preserved across the groups but significant decreases in sperm concentration and viability were noted denoting spermato-toxicity. Histological findings revealed fairly preserved architecture across groups with mild displacement of cells across the series in the tramadol groups. This study demonstrates the potential harmful effects of tramadol on the testes of adult male Wistar rats, highlighting its deleterious impact on male reproductive health.