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.