Effects of chronic morphine administration on the reproductive system of the male rat

J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 1975 Mar;192(3):542-8.

Abstract

The effects of chronic morphine administration on a variety of rat organs were examined. Only the prostates and seminal vesicles were affected by a 3-day period of morphine pellet implantation. In these organs, particularly the seminal vesicles, morphine produced a marked decrease in both the wet and dry tissue weight and a reduction in their secretory activity. This apparent morphine-induced atrophy of these important accessory sex organs was not due to a change in the nutritional status of the animals but rather appeared to be associated with a pronounced (87 percent) reduction in the serum testosterone levels of morphine-treated rats when compared to control levels. The effect of morphine on the secondary sex organs was reversed by withdrawing the animals from morphine administration for a period of 7 days. These data suggest that the role of physiological and endocrinological factors in the narcotic addict's sexual difficulties be examined.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Appetite / drug effects
  • Body Weight / drug effects
  • Drinking Behavior / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Morphine / pharmacology*
  • Organ Size
  • Prostate / drug effects*
  • Rats
  • Seminal Vesicles / anatomy & histology
  • Seminal Vesicles / drug effects*
  • Seminal Vesicles / metabolism
  • Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / physiopathology
  • Testis / drug effects*
  • Testosterone / blood

Substances

  • Testosterone
  • Morphine