Opioid replacement therapy with methadone or buprenorphine effects on male mice reproduction

Abstract

Rationale: Opioid use disorders are commonly treated by long-acting agonist opioids including methadone and buprenorphine which could affect various aspects of male reproduction especially spermatogenesis.

Objectives: We aimed to determine whether detoxification with methadone or buprenorphine was associated with reproductive disorders in male mice.

Methods: We orally induced morphine dependence in NMRI male mice, and then performed detoxification programs using either methadone or buprenorphine. Testis architecture and sperm parameters including sperm nuclear DNA integrity, mitochondrial activity, oxidative stress in seminal plasma, and routine sperm parameters were assessed to find the involved mechanisms.

Results: The number of Leydig cells and the thickness of germinal epithelium reduced following morphine use and increased differently after detoxification with methadone or buprenorphine. Morphine dependence and detoxification with methadone and buprenorphine had different effects on sperm parameters. Morphine altered chromatin integrity, mitochondrial activity, and oxidative stress in sperm. Detoxification with methadone improved mitochondrial activity but worsened chromatin integrity, whereas detoxification with buprenorphine improved neither chromatin integrity nor mitochondrial activity. Seminal plasma oxidative stress was higher in the treated groups compared to control groups but was comparable among treatment groups. Our study revealed that long-term morphine use followed by detoxification with methadone or buprenorphine impairs testis structure and sperm parameters. Detoxification from morphine use with methadone and buprenorphine led to different preclinical outcomes in semen quality parameters, including chromatin integrity. Therefore, clinical detoxification protocols should be performed more cautiously, considering the desire of the individuals to reproduce.

Keywords: Buprenorphine; Detoxification; Methadone; Morphine; Sperm parameters; Testis.