Abstract
Introduction: Morphine (MOR) as a psychoactive agent in the opium family causes free radicals accumulation which leads to failure in spermatogenesis. Gallic acid (GA), a polyphenolic acid, is found in various plants with antioxidant, anti-fungal, anti-viral, and anti-allergic activities. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of GA against MOR-induced damage to the reproductive parameter of rats. Methods: Sixty-four male Wistar rats (8 weeks, 220-250 g) were categorized into 8 groups by random (n=8/each); normal control and MOR control groups; GA groups (5, 10, 20 mg/kg) and MOR + GA groups (5, 10, 20 mg/kg). Treatments were administered intraperitoneally (i.p), daily for 4 weeks. The sperm parameters, spermatogenesis index (SI), total antioxidant capacity, testosterone level, and seminiferous tube diameter (STD) were assessed. Results: All sperm parameters reduced significantly in the MOR control group than to the normal control group (P < 0.01). All parameters were significantly improved in GA and GA + MOR treatment groups compared to the MOR control group (P < 0.01). Conclusion: MOR caused a detrimental effect on male reproductive parameters. Also, no significant modifications were observed in all doses of GA treatments in comparison with the normal control group. GA compensates the toxic effect of MOR on reproductive parameters. Hence, GA administration is beneficial in MOR users.
Highlights
Morphine (MOR) as a psychoactive agent in opium family causes free radicals accumulation which leads to failure in spermatogenesis
Sperm viability, progressive motility, count and normal morphology MOR caused a significant reduction in viability, progressive motility, count and normal morphology compared to the normal control group (P 0.01)
No significant variations were detected in Gallic acid (GA) groups compared to the normal control group (P > 0.05)
Summary
Morphine (MOR) as a psychoactive agent in opium family causes free radicals accumulation which leads to failure in spermatogenesis. Results: All sperm parameters reduced significantly in MOR control group than to the normal control group (P < 0.01). Conclusion: MOR caused a detrimental effect on male reproductive parameters. The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) can arrest cell cycle and increase the rate of apoptosis process, which in turn reduce daily sperm production and the total number of sperms [3,4,5]. Opioids have oxidative properties and increase apoptosis in various cells through their free radical activities [6]. MOR has detrimental impacts on spermatogenesis by inhibition of sperm or testicular function, and impairs the hypothalamic-pituitary testicular axis by an indirect manner, causing male infertility [9]. MOR increases the rate of apoptosis in various cells, including
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