Effect of Paracetamol (Acetaminophen) On Haematological and Reproductive Parameters in Male Albino Rats

Abstract

Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is a widely used over-the-counter analgesic and antipyretic drugs. Several studies have reported the toxic, gastrointestinal and musculoskeletal effect of this drug, but there is scanty information on its effect on blood chemistry and reproduction in albino rats. This study was designed to investigate the effect of this drug on haematological and reproductive parameters in male albino rats. Paracetamol (7.5 mg/kg BW) was administered to the rats for 42 days (six weeks) for haematological and andrological study. Distilled water (0.5 ml) served as control. Red Blood Cell (RBC) and Total White Blood Cell (TWBC) counts were determined using haemocytometer. PCV was determined by micro-haematocrit method. Semen analyses were done microscopically. Data were analysed using student's t-test at p<0.05. Treatment of rats with paracetamol caused decrease in PCV and RBC counts relative to the controls. Treatment of rats with paracetamol also caused significant decrease in sperm motility and sperm count, but did not produce any pathological lesions on the testes. These findings indicate that paracetamol caused deleterious effect on the blood chemistry and reproductive parameters in male albino rats.

A Review of Paracetamol: Mechanism of Action and the Effects on Spermatogenesis

“…Effect of PAR on sperm abnormalities after using a high dose (5 g/kg) of PAR 4)) [26] This might be because paracetamol has the ability to interfere with spermatogenic processes in the seminiferous tubules or epididymal functions, which could change spermatogenesis. This also suggests that the drug may permeate the blood-testis barrier, altering the micro-environment of the seminiferous tubules, as it has been reported that chemical agents reduce sperm motility due to their ability to permeate the blood-testis barrier [25].…”

“…A study conducted in male rats (Albino Rats) with 42 days of treatment with paracetamol (7.5 mg/kg body weight) caused an insignificant change in the viability of sperm but significantly reduced sperm count, a significant decrease in sperm motility as well as a significant increase in the proportion of morphologically abnormal sperm cells compared to the control group described in Figure 6 and Figure 7 [25]. (SSH) Swollen sperm head.…”

“…Additionally, it also has two chemically identical isotopes, C8H9NO2 which are 2-and 3-acetaminophen [13], as shown in Figure 1. 1), [20][21][22][23][24][25] [15] The hydroxyl oxygen lone pair, the benzene pi cloud, the nitrogen lone pair, the porbital on the carbonyl carbon, and the hydroxyl oxygen lone pair are all intertwined in the paracetamol molecule. The benzene ring is extremely susceptible to electrophilic aromatic substitution due to the presence of two activating groups.…”

“…Paracetamol's effect on the indifferent testis (Sargent K.M., McFee R.M., Gomes R.S., and Cupp A.S. Vascular endothelial growth factor A: just one of multiple mechanisms for sex-specific vascular development within the testis? Journal of Endocrinology, 2015.227(2) [14] and Hinz B.,and Brune K. Paracetamol and cyclooxygenase inhibition: Is there a cause for concern?Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, 2013.71(1),[20][21][22][23][24][25] [15]…”

Hematological and Biochemical Investigations of Green Synthesized Reduced Graphene Oxide Carbon Nanoparticles on Acetaminophen Induced Male Albino Rats.

“…Research findings from Mitra M et.al (2019) and Oyedeji K.O et.al (2013) suggest that treatment of rats with acetaminophen caused significant decrease in RBC count, which could indicate that there were destruction of matured RBC and reduction in the rate of erythropoiesis. This could also imply that acetaminophen have the potency to inhibit the secretion of erythropoietin from kidneys [18][19] . The significant decrease in Hb concentration on the acetaminophen induced group is due to destruction of RBC and as a result of reducing erythropoiesis.…”