Gross and Histological Changes of the Female Reproductive Organ Following Chronic Tramadol Hydrochloride Administration in Albino Wistar Rat

This study was aimed to investigate the gross and histological changes associated with oral administration of tramadol hydrochloride on the ovaries and uterus of female wistar albino rat. Tramadol is a centrally active synthetic opioid analgesic that is used extensively for pain management, and has been associated with significant physiological and behavioral side effects, which include dependence and reproductive toxicity. A total of 20 mature female wistar rats were used. They were divided into two groups: a control group (n=10) were given feed and water only, and the treatment group (n=10) were administered with 50mg/kg/day of tramadol hydrochloride orally for 28 days. The body weight of the laboratory animals was measured using sensitive weighing balance, and is done at the beginning and termination of the study. At the beginning of the experiment the mean weight of the control group was 96.2grams and at the end of the experiment was 101.8grams, also the mean weight of the treated group before drug administration was 111.9grams and after drug administration was 105.7grams. The results showed gradual decrease in body weight in tramadol-treated group, this could be due to reduced appetite and gastrointestinal effects of the drug. At the termination of the study animals were humanely stunned using chloroform and their ovary and uterus were obtained. The organs were fixed in 10% buffered formalin, and stained using Hematoxylin and Eosin and the slides were examined using light microscope at x40 magnification. Histological findings in the control group revealed normal architecture of the uterus and ovaries, while the treatment group showed ovarian wall degeneration, atrophy of the ovarian follicles, and congestion of the ovarian blood vessels. In the uterus there was atrophy of the endometrial glands, vacuolation of the uterine cell.In conclusion, tramadol hydrochloride administrationhas a significant adverse effect on the female reproductive system of albino rats.