DOI: 10.36347/sjavs.2020.v07i09.001

Pages: 207-209

Tramadol is a centrally active synthetic opioid analgesic that is used extensively in abolishing pain in animals. The effect of prolonged administration of tramadol on some reproductive parameters of wistar strain albino rats was studied. Fifteen sexually matured male albino rats weighing between 150–200 g were divided into three groups (A, B and C) of five rats in each. Group A (control) was given distilled water while the experimental groups B and C were treated orally with 50mg/kg and 100mg/kg of tramadol respectively for 28 days. The hormone profile of groups B and C male rats showed a significant decrease (p<0.05) in LH, FSH and testosterone value and a significant increase (p<0.05) in prolactin which was dose dependent compared to the control. These findings probably indicate that prolonged oral tramadol administration has a deleterious effect on sex hormone production and can precipitate infertility in the male wistar rats; hence its use must be with caution in animals meant for breeding purpose.