Effects of tramadol on the reproductive function of wistar albino rats

Tramadol is a centrally active synthetic opioid analgesic that is used extensively. There is no lot of information about the reproductive effects of the drug in both male and females. The present work conducted to outline the histopathological changes in ovaries and uterus of females and testis of male Wistar rats. Forty rats (Rattus norvegicus) weighing approximatel 150 g were used in the present study. Animals were divided into two groups; control male and females (n=20) and tramadol-treatment male and female group (n=20). Applied tramadol doses (40 mg /Kg body weight) were daily orally administered for 30 days. Doses calculated for animals using Paget and Barnes (1964) species introversion table of dosage. At the end of treatment, the animals was sacrificed and their ovary, uterus and testis were incised and processed for histological investigation and flow cytometric analysis of apoptosis. The present work revealed ovarian failure and vanishment of majority of the follicles which become replaced by atretic and cystic ones. There is a massive deterioration of endometrial gland with the uterine tube. The testis possessed disorganization of the seminiferous tubules with almost missing of sperm and comparatively decreased spermatogenic cells. Flowcytometric analysis showed apparent increase of apoptic M1 spermatogenic and ovarian cells. The author concluded that tramadol reduced the fertility of both male and females