Morphometric and ultrastructural analysis of tramadol effects on epididymis: an experimental study

Abstract

The effect of tramadol addiction on epididymal structure was not investigated before. Therefore, this experimental study was carried out to investigate the effect of chronic tramadol use on the epididymal structure using light and electron microscopies. Thirty adult Wister Albino male rats were divided into two groups: control group (five rats) and tramadol-treated group (25 rats), which was further subdivided into five subgroups that received tramadol orally at 4.5, 9, 45, 90, and 135 mg/kg/day, respectively, for 18 weeks. Epididymal tissues were dissected and processed for histopathological examination. Morphometric analysis showed significantly reduced mean values of epididymal ducts’ diameters and epithelial height in the tramadol-treated group compared with the control group. Light microscopic examination revealed degeneration and necrosis of epididymal cells in the tramadol-treated group. Electron microscopic (EM) examination showed ultrastructure alterations in a dose-dependent manner. In conclusion, tramadol can adversely affect all epididymal cells, which subsequently deteriorate epididymal function and may affect sperm maturation, leading to subfertility.