Neurofunctional effects in rats prenatally exposed to fluoxetine

R. Cagiano, P. Flace3, I. Bera1, L. Maries1, G. Cioca1, R. Sabatini4, V. Benagiano3, P. Auteri5, A. Marzullo6, D. Vermesan2, R. Stefanelli7, G. Ambrosi3

Department of Pharmacology and Human Physiology, Medical Faculty, University of Bari (Italy)
1 “Lucian Blaga” University, Medical School, Sibiu (Romania)
2 University of Medicine and Pharmacy ”Victor Babes”, Timisoara (Romania)
3 Department of Human Anatomy and Histology, Medical Faculty, University of Bari (Italy)
4 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical Faculty, University of Bari (Italy)
5 Department of Ophthalmology, General Hospital, Matera (Italy)
6 Department of Pathological Anatomy and Genetics, Medical Faculty, University of Bari (Italy)
7 Department of Medical Biochemistry, Biology and Physics, Medical Faculty, University of Bari, (Italy)

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• Pharmacology

Abstract. – In the treatment of depression fluoxetine [a selective serotonine reuptake inhibitor (SSRIs)] is a widely used drug in humans. The selectivity, efficacy, side effects and simplicity of dosage contributed to fluoxetine’s clinical acceptance. Several psychiatric disorders (many of them responsive to SSRIs) are present during pregnancy; up to 10% of pregnant women fulfill diagnostic criteria for major or minor depression with an even higher percentage developing postpartum depression. Therefore, significant numbers of women may be taking SSRIs while pregnant. Since fluoxetine’s safe use during pregnancy is not yet established and experimental studies inconclusive, we performed the present research in order to investigate the neurobehavioral effects produced in rats by prenatal exposure to fluoxetine (5 and 10 mg/kg/sc from day 13 to 20 of gestation) on cognitive functions, emotional reactivity and sexual performance.

Corresponding Author: Raffaele Cagiano, MD; e-mail: r.cagiano@farmacol.uniba.it

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