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Effects of Fluoxetine on Human Embryo Development
Helena Kaihola1, Fatma G Yaldir2, Julius Hreinsson3
1Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University Uppsala, Sweden.
Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience
|July 6, 2016
Summary
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) exposure during early human embryo development had minimal impact on developmental timing but altered protein expression and secretion. Higher fluoxetine doses increased specific protein secretion, suggesting careful dosage is crucial for pregnant women.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive biology
- Developmental toxicology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are increasingly used during pregnancy.
- Serotonin is vital for embryogenesis, and SSRIs like fluoxetine are widely prescribed.
- Understanding SSRI effects on early human embryo development is critical.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of fluoxetine on human embryo developmental timing.
- To identify proteins and protein networks affected by fluoxetine during early development.
- To analyze dose-dependent effects of fluoxetine on human embryos.
Main Methods:
- Human embryos (n=48) were cultured with varying fluoxetine concentrations (0.25 μM or 0.5 μM).
- Embryo development was monitored using time-lapse imaging.
- Proteomic analysis was performed using shotgun mass spectrometry and high-multiplex immunoassay.
Main Results:
- Low-dose fluoxetine (0.25 μM) showed no significant effect on embryo development.
- A trend towards accelerated cavitation was observed at 0.5 μM fluoxetine.
- Fluoxetine exposure altered the expression of 45 proteins involved in cell growth, survival, proliferation, and inflammation.
- High-dose fluoxetine significantly increased urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) secretion.
Conclusions:
- Fluoxetine exhibits dose-dependent effects on human embryo development, primarily impacting protein expression and secretion rather than developmental timing.
- The findings support using the lowest effective SSRI dose in pregnant women.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate the long-term implications of in utero SSRI exposure.
