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The effect of methadone, buprenorphine, and shift of methadone to buprenorphine on sperm parameters and antioxidant activity in a male rat model

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Abstract

Methadone and buprenorphine are two widely used substances for opioid-based detoxification. The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of buprenorphine and methadone on the redox status of testicular tissue, sperm parameter analysis, and hormonal changes in a rat model. A total of 40 male Wistar rats (220–250 g) were randomly divided into four groups: methadone, buprenorphine, shift of methadone to buprenorphine, and control groups. At days 21 and 42 post-treatment, the animals (n = 5 for each time) were deeply anesthetized, blood sera were isolated, and testes of the rats were dissected out. The levels of blood total testosterone (TT), free testosterone (FT), luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) as well as antioxidant enzymes activity in the testicular tissue were measured. Sperm parameters, including sperm viability, motility, and count, were calculated and compared between the groups. Both buprenorphine and methadone treatments induced oxidative stress, suppressed sperm parameters, and resulted in sexual hormone dysfunction compared with the control group. The highest levels of alterations were detected in the shift group. In conclusion, methadone and buprenorphine enhanced testicular oxidative stress, suppressed blood levels of sexual hormone, including LH, FSH, TT, and FT, and resulted in suppressed sperm parameters. There were no significant differences between methadone and buprenorphine treatments in terms of their adverse effects on sperm parameters and antioxidant activity. However, shift of methadone to buprenorphine resulted in the worst adverse effect in the male reproductive system in the rat model.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neuroscience and Addiction Studies, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

    Mohammadreza Haddadi & Maryam Farahmandfar

  2. Department of Tissue Engineering and Applied Cell Sciences, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

    Jafar Ai

  3. Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran

    Sadegh Shirian

  4. Dr Daneshbod Laboratory, Shiraz Molecular Pathology Research Center, Shiraz, Iran

    Sadegh Shirian

  5. Shefa Neuroscience Research Center, Tehran, Iran

    Sadegh Shirian

  6. Department of Clinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran

    Ali Kadivar

Authors
  1. Mohammadreza Haddadi
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  2. Jafar Ai
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  3. Sadegh Shirian
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  4. Ali Kadivar
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  5. Maryam Farahmandfar
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Correspondence to Maryam Farahmandfar.

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This study was approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee of Shahrekord University in accordance with the international guidelines.

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Haddadi, M., Ai, J., Shirian, S. et al. The effect of methadone, buprenorphine, and shift of methadone to buprenorphine on sperm parameters and antioxidant activity in a male rat model. Comp Clin Pathol 29, 469–476 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00580-019-03054-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00580-019-03054-2

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