Testicular histology and seminal assessments following codeine-containing cough syrup administration in male Wistar rats

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Studies have shown that given its sedating and euphoric effects and the development of tolerance within a relatively short time-frame on repeated use, codeine and codeine-containing products carry identified abuse potential both in pill and syrup forms. Its use, misuse and dependence have become an emerging global public health concern. Accordingly, this study investigated the effect of codeine containing cough syrup on the testes of adult Wistar rats. METHODOLOGY: Twenty rats (110-200g) were divided into four groups A-D of five rats each. Group A (control) received only feed and water. Group B (low dose group) received 10.95mg/kg body weight, group C (medium dose group) received 21.90mg/kg body weight while group D (high dose group) received 43.80mg/kg body weight of the syrup daily via an oral cannula for eight weeks. At the end of the experiment, the testes were harvested, weighed and processed for seminal and histological assessments. RESULTS: Only the low dose group had significantly (P<0.05) lower values of seminal analysis when compared to the control. No deleterious effects were observed in the histological profiles of all the testes. CONCLUSION: Taken together, these results provide preliminary evidence from seminal analysis and histology that codeine-containing cough syrup had no adverse effect on the testes.