Toxic effects of paroxetine on sexual and reproductive functions of rats

This study determined some appropriate parameters to detect male and female reproductive, endocrine, and teratological toxicity besides genotoxic effects of paroxetine. Several parameters concerning fertility were measured in male and female rats given oral doses of paroxetine ( 0.36mg/100g b.wt./day) for a month. In addition, estimation of the drug residues in male, female and fetus were carried out. There were alterations in serum concentration of gonadotraphins: FSH, LH, PRL and in the sex hormones : testosterone, progesterone and estradiol in male and female rats. These alterations were accompanied by sperm reduction, sperm abnormalities, irregular shaped of seminiferous tubules, hypertrophy of geominal cells and structural chromosomal aberrations in male rats. A reduction in mating and fertility indices were observed with an increase in the number of resorbed fetuses, and a decrease in body weight and crown rump length of rat embryos.