Oral administration of 3- methylmorphine (dihydrocodeine) has less likelyhood of been a carcinogine in testicular germ cells and the interstial cells of leydig in adult albino wistar rats

Abstract

This study was on Sub-acute Oral Administration of Dihydrocodeine in Placental like Alkaline Phosphatase (PLAP) Immunohistochemistry in the Testis of Albino Wistar Rats. The objectives are to; investigate the level of PLAP in testicular germ cells in the testis, using immunohistochemistry and analysing staining intensity using Image J statistical software. Control (Group 1) rats received distilled water per body weight while group 2-4 received 30, 60 and 90mg/kg dihydrocodeine orally respectively for 28 days. Animals were anesthetized using ketamine injection and abdominopelvic incision was made and the testes were harvested and processed using histochemistry. Photomicrographs were obtained using light microscope and arm scope. Testicular tissue staining intensity were analysed by ANOVA, followed by Post Hoc test using Image J statistical software. The results showed that only few germ cells in the treatment groups were seen to stain faintly with PLAP. This means that only those few cells that pick up the stain have the tendency of becoming cancerous. The interstitial connective tissue and the Leydig cells that produces the hormone testosterone were also found to stain with high intensity. This study concludes that Immunohistochemistry study using PLAP demonstrated dihydrocodeine has less likely hood of been a carcinogen.