Effects of paroxetine, bupropion and agomelatine, which are used as antidepressants, on puberty onset in male rats

The aim of the present study was to investigate effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitör (SSRI) paroxetine, dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor bupropion and melatonin agonist agomelatine on puberty onset, reproductive parameters and feeding behaviour in male rats. For this purpose, prepubertal male, Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 21 days, were used. Paroxetine, bupropion and agomelatine were administered in all animals by gastric gavage from post-natal day 21 to 90. In the treatment process, it was not found that significant difference in treatment groups with respect to the food and water intake, body weight compared with control group. In assessments, our results showed that there was not significant change in puberty onset day and pubertal weight. There were no any significant differences in treatment groups with respect to the FSH levels and LH level significantly increased only in bupropion group compared with control group. Leptin levels were unchanged in all treatment groups. Significant increases in testosterone levels were found in bupropion and agomelatine groups compared with control group. When sperm parameters evaluated, it was found that sperm count significantly decreased and total sperm abnormalities increased in all treatment groups compared with control group and sperm motility decreased in only bupropion group. Our results suggest that paroxetine, bupropion and agomelatine have no significant effect on puberty onset and feeding behaviour and affect negatively sperm parameters in male rats. Our study is the first study at investigating the effects of paroxetine, bupropion and agomelatine on puberty onset.