Millions of patients who administer or abuse tramadol to relieve chronic pain may suffer from infertility.
Thymoquinone (TQ) is a major active component of nigella sativa oil, which has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
The present work aimed to clarify effects of tramadol and TQ on epididymis of adult male rabbits. Forty adult male rabbits
aged 3 months were used for one month & divided equally into 4 groups: Group 1 as a control group; group 2 was treated with
tramadol 30 mg/kg orally/day, group 3 was treated with TQ 20 mg/kg orally/day and group 4 as a protected group that was
treated with TQ 20 mg/kg & tramadol 30 mg/kg orally/day. The epididymis was processed for histological and
immunohistochemical (IHC) study for detection of epididymal structure and caspase-3 as an indicator of epididymal apoptotic
changes. Statistical analysis of apoptotic index, area% of collagen and caspase-3 immunoexpression was carried out. Group 2
showed epithelial thinning of epididymal wall, degeneration and vacuolation of epithelial cells with disturbance of stromal
collagen fibers. Also, a significant increase of apoptotic index, area % of collagen and caspase-3 cytoplasmic
immunoexpression in epididymal epithelium was noticed in group 2. While, Group 3 and 4 showed improvement of the
histological and IHC changes described in group 2. It is concluded that tramadol intake exerted toxic effects on epididymal
structure while, TQ minimized these effects. Therefore, intake of TQ with tramadol is advised to protect the epididymis from
the hazardous effects of tramadol abuse.