EFFECT OF FMRFAMIDE ON MDMA (3, 4-METHYLENEDIOXYMETHAMPHETAMINE)/TRAMADOL INDUCED TESTICULAR TOXICITY IN WISTAR RAT MODEL

MDMA also known as molly has been considerably abused by adolescents and adults mostly because of its socializing effect giving users confidence in social gatherings while Tramadol which is usually prescribed as a pain reliever is also abused for that same purpose. Researches have studied the effect of these drugs on the brain but this research studies the effect of these drugs on male testes and the use of FMRFamide as a plausible mitigating factor. This research employed the use of 30 adult male wistar rats divided into 6 groups, group A serving as control group, group B as positive group receiving FMRFamide for 2 consecutive days, groups C to E administered MDMA/Tramadol at 20mg for 10 days and group F receiving a combined dosage of MDMA/Tramadol at 20mg for 10 days and FMRFamide at 2mg for 2 consecutive days. The results indicate loss in body weight of animals, reduction in sperm cell population, decrease sperm motility, increased formation of abnormal sperm cells, decrease in Luteinizing, Follicle Stimulating hormone levels and Testosterone levels. Futhermore, this research examined the expression of Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase in the testes as studies have shown that this cellular protein is highly expression by macrophages in response to inflammation and tissue damages as it has cytotoxic effects. Findings from the research observed high intensity of iNOS in groups A, B, D and F which concluded that FMRFamide was able to mitigate the effect of MDMA/Tramadol-induced testicular toxicity showing repopulation of sperm cells and interstitial cells.