Effects of Fluoxetine on Testis of Albino rats - A Histological Assessment

Abstract

Fluoxetine is a long acting widely used antidepressant, prototype of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), with a plasma half-life of 2 days. The present study was carried out to see the histopathological effects of Fluoxetine on the testis of adult albino rats. Fluoxetine was administered intraperitoneally to rats for 2 weeks, 4 weeks and 12 weeks with mild (10mg/kg/day), moderate (20mg/kg/day) and severe doses (40mg/kg/day). Histological slides were prepared and stained with H and E stain. On examination, distortion of seminiferous tubules, decreased thickness of germinal epithelium, decreased diameter of seminiferous tubules and decreased counts of germinal cell lineage were found in treated groups. antidepressant, prototype of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), with a plasma half-life of 2 days. Its active demethylated metabolite has a half-life of 7-10 days. It is used in children above 7 years and in adults on the basis of its efficacy and lower side effect profile (1). Fluoxetine inhibits the 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) (Serotonin) reuptake. Increased synaptic availability of serotonin stimulates a large number of postsynaptic (5-HT) receptor subtypes which lead to complex secondary responses including gastrointestinal disturbances and sexual side effects which include loss of libido, delayed ejaculation, anorgasmia and impaired orgasm, decreased testicular development and decreased Sertoli cell population, which may lead to infertility in adults2. Depression may also be associated with sexual disturbances especially reduced libido (2),(3). For psychiatric illnesses (Depression and anxiety) the SSRIs are used for a long duration. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of Fluoxetine in short term and long term therapy by studying the histological changes in various cells of the testis in albino rats. 2 Materials and Methods