Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 3, 2026
Establishment of Rat Models Mimicking Gender-affirming Hormone Therapies
Published on: January 10, 2025
Vitamin E administration does not ameliorate tramadol-associated impairment of testicular function in Wistar rats
Augustine L Udefa1, Favour N Beshel1, Justina N Nwangwa1
1Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria.
Abstract:
Tramadol is widely abused in Nigeria and has been reported to cause fertility decline via testicular oxidative stress. This study investigated the effect of vitamin E, an antioxidant on some reproductive parameters in male Wistar rats administered tramadol. Twenty male Wistar rats (180-200 g) were randomly assigned into four groups (n = 5) thus: Control (0.2 ml vehicle: olive oil), tramadol-treated (20 mg/kg of tramadol), vitamin E-treated (100 mg/kg of vitamin E) and tramadol + vitamin E-treated (received tramadol and vitamin E) groups. Drugs were administered orally and daily for 28 days. Sperm count, Johnsen's score, germinal epithelial height and serum testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinising hormone (LH) concentrations were significantly (p < .05) decreased in tramadol-treated and tramadol + vitamin E compared with control and vitamin E-treated groups. Sperm motility, morphology, viability, seminiferous tubular diameter, Leydig cell count, Sertoli cell count and malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase concentrations were not significantly different among the groups. Histology of testis and epididymis in all groups showed no toxicity but decreased sperm population in tramadol-treated and tramadol + vitamin E-treated groups. Tramadol did not cause testicular oxidative stress but impaired testicular function by suppressing testosterone, FSH and LH secretion. Vitamin E administration could not attenuate this impairment in testicular function.
Insights
Tramadol abuse in Nigeria may impair male fertility by reducing sperm count and suppressing key reproductive hormones. Vitamin E did not prevent these negative effects in male rats, suggesting tramadol impacts testicular function directly.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Toxicology
- Pharmacology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Tramadol abuse is prevalent in Nigeria and linked to male fertility decline.
- Testicular oxidative stress is a proposed mechanism for tramadol-induced reproductive dysfunction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of tramadol on reproductive parameters in male Wistar rats.
- To evaluate the potential protective role of vitamin E against tramadol-induced testicular impairment.
Main Methods:
- Male Wistar rats were administered tramadol (20 mg/kg), vitamin E (100 mg/kg), or both daily for 28 days.
- Evaluated parameters included sperm count, motility, morphology, viability, Johnsen's score, germinal epithelial height, tubular diameter, and hormone levels (testosterone, FSH, LH).
- Oxidative stress markers (MDA, SOD, GPx, CAT) and testicular histology were also assessed.
Main Results:
- Tramadol administration significantly decreased sperm count, Johnsen's score, germinal epithelial height, and serum levels of testosterone, FSH, and LH.
- No significant differences were observed in sperm motility, morphology, viability, tubular diameter, Leydig/Sertoli cell counts, or oxidative stress markers among groups.
- Histological examination revealed no toxicity, but a reduced sperm population was noted in tramadol-treated groups.
Conclusions:
- Tramadol impairs male rat testicular function by suppressing testosterone, FSH, and LH secretion, rather than causing oxidative stress.
- Vitamin E administration did not mitigate the observed impairment in testicular function caused by tramadol.
More Related Videos
03:07Author Spotlight: Developing a Safer and More Efficient Treatment Protocol for Wasting Marmoset Syndrome (WMS)
Published on: July 12, 2024
06:18An In Vivo Estrogen Deficiency Mouse Model for Screening Exogenous Estrogen Treatments of Cardiovascular Dysfunction After Menopause
Published on: August 13, 2019
