FLUOXETINE

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Picture Courtesy: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/pharmaceutical-pollutants-altering-fish-behaviour-reproductive-patterns-and-life-history-study

Context:

A recent study published in the Journal of Animal Ecology highlighted how Fluoxetine affects fish behaviour.

Details

The researchers focused on male guppies to understand the effects of fluoxetine exposure on aquatic life.

• About Guppy
  • • Guppies are known as million fish or rainbow fish.
    • One of the most popular freshwater aquarium fish species.
    • Guppies give birth to free-swimming young rather than laying eggs.
    • Native to Barbados, Brazil, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela
    • Introduced to various countries for mosquito control.
    • Negatively impact native fish populations.
    • Tolerance to brackish water and some brackish environments.
    • Males measure 1.5-4 cm long, while females are 3-7 cm.
    • Guppies display sexual dimorphism, with males displaying a variety of colours.
    • Used as a model organism in ecology, evolution, and behavioural studies.
    • IUCN status: Least Concern

Key Findings of the Study

• Male guppies exposed to fluoxetine indicate decreased activity and increased refuge-seeking behaviour, spending more time in hiding.
• Fluoxetine exposure causes changes in body condition, such as enlarged reproductive organs and lower sperm velocity, which may have an impact on mating success and reproductive fitness.
• Fluoxetine reduced behavioural diversity in fish, resulting in rigid patterns that might restrict adaptation in changing situations.
• The study observed that in polluted environments, more active fish were less healthy, and fish with larger reproductive organs had lower-quality sperm, indicating that pollution affects reproductive methods and health.

About Fluoxetine

• Fluoxetine is a medication used to treat people with various conditions including depression, anxiety disorders, and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD).
• It belongs to the class of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) that increase serotonin levels in the brain.
• It works by blocking the reuptake of serotonin in the brain, improving mood and emotional balance.
• A study found that fluoxetine effectively reduced symptoms of depression in 60% of participants.

Source:

Down to Earth

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