By Sade Oguntola
Abuja (Precise Post) – Codeine, which is regarded as the gateway to the abuse of other substances, enhances sexual performance, it is a potential risk factor for infertility, study has revealed.
Therefore, experts have warned codeine abusers to desist saying although its use as a recreational drug can increase libido and sexual vigour, its persistent use can impair fertility.
In a new study, researchers at Ladoke Akintola University, Ogbomoso said codeine caused a reduction in the testosterone level, the male hormone, in the blood of tested animals under laboratory conditions.
The researchers had studied the effects of graded doses of codeine on sexual behaviour and fertility profile in New Zealand White rabbits under laboratory conditions. It was in the March edition of the journal, Andrology. It involved A F Ajayi and R E Akhigbe.
Sexual behaviour was monitored in the animals for 30 minutes under dim light using a camcorder and blood samples were taken to test for levels of male reproductive hormones.
The rabbits were either administered normal saltwater solution (0.2ml), 4mg/kg of codeine (low dose) or 10mg/kg of codeine (high dose) for six weeks.
Findings of the study showed that codeine administration significantly increased libido and caused a marked rise in penile reflexes.
However, copulatory efficiency and fertility index were significantly lower in codeine-treated groups on a dose-dependent basis when compared with the control.
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Levels of testosterone and androgen in the blood were also significantly lower in the treated groups and it might be associated with reduced sperm production.
The researchers suggest that codeine-induced increased sexual attraction is associated with poor sexual quality and infer that codeine causes more of sexual dis-inhibition.
Codeine causes euphoria and feeling of happiness, and its continual abuse leads to tolerance, psychological dependence, physical dependence and attendant withdrawal symptoms.
