Sexual problems are highly prevalent in both men and women and
are affected by, among other factors, mood state, interpersonal functioning,
and psychotropic medications. Inspite of the evidence suggesting that many
victims of depression may complain of sexual dysfunction which by itself
may add much to depression, also, many antidepressants may augment
sexual dysfunction. This study reviews current evidence regarding sexual
side effects of antidepressants as delayed ejaculation, absent or delayed
orgasm, decreased desire (libido) and arousal difficulties. In order to clarify
these issuses 20 mg of imipramine hydrochloride for 15 days were
administered to Sprague-Dawley rats to have a depressed rat model.
Parameters of sexual behavior and fertility were asessed including
behavioral parameter as sniffing, investigating, mount, intromission, and
ejaculation latencies and frequencies . Also, serum prolactin and
testosterone levels and semen analysis were checked in depressed rats in
comparisin to the control normal rats and those treated with fluoxetine
hydrochloride, trazodone hydrochloride and tianeptine .
It was found that, depression model showed a statistically significant
increase in investigating, mount, intromission and ejaculation latencies
( p < 0.01 ; p < 0.01 ; p <0.05 and p <0.05 respectively ) and a statistically
significant deccrease in mount and intromission frequencies (p <0.01 and
p < 0.01 ) . Serum testosterone level showed a statistically significant
deccrease ( p < 0.01 ), while serum prolactin level showed a statistically
significant increase ( p <0.05 ). All the semen parameters were statistically
altered , except the abnormal forms percentage.
Administration of fluoxetine hydrochloride (3.0 mg/kg P.O. for 15
days) to depressed rats caused a statistically significant increase in
investigating, mount, intromission and ejaculation latencies ( p < 0.001 ;
p < 0.001 ; p < 0.05 and p < 0.001 respectively ) and a statistically
significant deccrease in mount and intromission frequencies ( p <0.01 and
p < 0.001 ) . Serum testosterone level showed a statistically significant
deccrease (p < 0.05) ), while serum prolactin level showed a statistically
significant increase ( p < 0.01 ). All the semen parameters were altered but
with no statistical significance, except viability percentage which showed a
statistically significant decrease (p < 0.05)
Administration of trazodone hydrochloride (7.0 mg/kg P.O. for 15
days) to depressed rats caused a statistically non significant change in
investigating, mount latencies, but a statistically significant decrease in
intromission and ejaculation latencies (p <0.05 and p < 0.05 respectively)
and a statistically significant deccrease in mount and intromission
frequencies (p < 0.05 and p < 0.05 ) . Serum testosterone level showed a
statistically significant deccrease ( p <0.05 ), while serum prolactin level
showed a statistically significant increase ( p < 0.01 ). All the semen
parameters showed statisticaly non significant alteration compared to the
control group.
Administration of tianeptine (5.0 mg/kg P.O. for 15 days) to
depressed rats caused a statistically non significant change in investigating,
mount latencies, but a statistically significant decrease in intromission and
ejaculation latencies ( p <0.05 and p <0.05 respectively) and a statistically
significant deccrease in mount and intromission frequencies (p < 0.05 and
p < 0.05 ). Serum testosterone level showed a statistically non significant
deccrease , while serum prolactin level showed a statistically significant
increase ( p < 0.05 ). All the semen parameters showed statisticaly non
significant alteration compared to the control group.
Finally, the emotional state and depression has a great impact on
sexual function and fertility which may be improved with some antidepressants as tianeptine and trazodone but it may be partially
augmented by other antidepressants as fluoxetine.
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