Skoochies and its component substances induced testicular damage and impaired sperm function via increased generation of reactive oxygen species and impairment of the glutathione system in rats.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of skoochies, an illicit cocktail drink, on testicular and sperm function in male rats. DESIGN: Twenty-five adult male Wistar rats were assigned randomly into five groups (n = 5) as follows normal saline; skoochies; Cannabis sativa; codeine; and tramadol. The cocktail (skoochies) used in this study was formulated with the following composition codeine (5 mg/kg); tramadol (20 mg/kg); and cannabis extract (2 mg/kg). These doses are as previously reported. Administration was performed once daily for 28 days. SETTING: University. ANIMAL(S) Twenty-five (25) male Wistar rats. INTERVENTION(S) Skoochies, tramadol, Codeiene, Cannabis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Skoochies and its components induced testicular and sperm damage via increased generation of reactive oxygen species and impairment of glutathione system in rats. RESULT(S) Skoochies increased reactive oxygen species generation and impaired the antioxidant system resulting in inflammation that eventually damaged the testicular tissue. Skoochies caused oxidoinflammatory injury to this tissue, leading to impaired testicular function. This was evident by the distorted cytoarchitecture, reduced sperm count and motility, and impaired testicular deoxyribonucleic acid integrity. CONCLUSION(S) Thus, our results infer that skoochies impaired the testicular and sperm function through the increased generation of reactive oxygen species and impairment of the glutathione system.