Reproductive Toxicity and Biomarker Response to a Daily Dose of Tramadol in Male Albino Rats (Rattus norvegicus)

This study was designed to evaluate the effect of a daily dose of tramadol on selected biomarkers viz: haematological parameters, sperm count, kidney and liver damage in male albino rats. Twenty four wistar rats were divided randomly into two groups: control group and treated groups, the treated group were further divided into four groups and housed in cages. Clean drinking water was served to control (group 1), and 1.6 mg/kg bodyweight of tramadol was administered to group 2 (7 days treatment), group 3 (14 days treatment), group 4 (21 days treatment) and group 5 (21 days treatment +7 days withdrawal) in addition to a daily standard diet for all groups. Treatment of rats with tramadol caused significant decrease (P<0.05) in WBC, platelet and lymph. in group 2, on bicarbonate, AST and protein, it showed significant decrease (P<0.05) in group 3, and it showed significant decrease (P<0.05) in group 5 on Cl-, AST, ALT, bicarbonate, AST, PCV, Hb, RBC, WBC, platelet, lymphocytes and sperm count. The results indicates that tramadol has negative effects on the liver which may induce severe liver damage when used for a prolonged period, the results also shows that tramadol can cause anaemia as seen by the observed negative changes in the blood parameters evaluated. Therefore, administration should be with great caution and from a licensed pharmacist or doctor while self prescription or over the counter administration should be avoided considering the associated adverse effects.