Background: Fluoxetine is frequently used to treat depression. There has not been any report for the effect of fluoxetine on hormonal axis of pituitary-gonad in rats. Several studies have also shown that antidepressants have interaction with sex hormones in both sexes and women are more likely to take antidepressants than men. This study aimed to examine the effect of fluoxetine on sexual hormones in female rats.

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 40 female rats (180-200 g and 100-120 days of age) were divided into the five groups including control, sham and three experimental (fluoxetine 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg) groups. Fluoxetine was intraperitoneally injected during four weeks. Control group did not receive any drug, but the sham group was injected with distilled water (0.18-0.2 ml/kg body weight). Levels of FSH, LH, estrogen and progesterone were measured using a blood test.

Results: Results of this study showed that fluoxetine (10 or 20mg/kg) considerably reduced the estrogen and FSH levels and also fluoxetine (20mg/kg) reduced the progesterone level. However, different doses of fluoxetine did not change the LH level.

Conclusion: Fluoxetine can decrease the estrogen, progesterone, FSH levels and cause oogenic defects in rats.