EXPERTS have cautioned against consuming Skoochies, an illicit cocktail drink containing a mixture of codeine, tramadol, and marijuana in different proportions, citing its potential to cause infertility in men.
In a new study, researchers found that Skoochies could have adverse effects on male reproductive health, reducing sperm quality and damaging testes in men, highlighting the urgent need for awareness and regulation of this cocktail drink.
The study, published in Fertility & Sterility Science, was led by Professor Ayodeji Folorunsho Ajayi and his co-researchers: Olufemi Ogundeji Ogundipe, David Tolulope Oluwole of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology and Anchor Biomed Research Institute, Ogbomoso, and Moses Agbomhere Hamed of The Brainwill Laboratory, Osogbo, Oyo State, Nigeria.
The study, entitled “Skoochies and its component substances induced testicular damage and impaired sperm function via increased generation of reactive oxygen species and impairment of the glutathione system in rats,” administered Skoochies to male Wistar rats for 28 days.
The researchers aimed to understand how these substances impact male reproductive health, focussing on testicular damage and sperm quality.
The study involved semen analysis of parameters such as sperm count, motility, and morphology, including the percentage of live versus dead sperm cells, providing insights into sperm viability. Injury to the testes was assessed, and concentrations of reproductive male hormones like testosterone were studied.
The Skoochies cocktail used consisted of codeine (5 mg/kg), tramadol (20 mg/kg), and cannabis extract (2 mg/kg), based on reported abuse levels.
Professor Ayodeji Ajayi stated that Skoochies, an illicit cocktail drink popular in southwest Nigeria, appeals to various social groups, particularly youth, who attribute aphrodisiac and energy-boosting properties to it.
“Skoochies contains hard drugs. Since there was no experimental work on it, we therefore investigated the effect of this cocktail of testicular function to inform the public about its possible deleterious effects.”
“A man consuming Skoochies may face infertility issues due to significantly affected semen quality. Its aphrodisiac and energy-boosting properties will wane with continuous use.”
The researchers noted, “The component drugs of Skoochies have been individually studied for their effects on the body systems, particularly reproductive function. Codeine and tramadol reduce sperm quality, damage testes, and suppress testosterone function and secretion.
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While further studies to evaluate the molecular effects of Skoochies use and reproductive outcomes are recommended, the researchers declared that the study’s findings may explain drug-induced male factor infertility associated with Skoochies cocktail use.
The researchers’ stated that Skoochies cocktail use has become an endemic public health issue, emphasising caution when consuming Skoochies and urging government policies to regulate its availability in Nigeria.