Effect of Prozac on Fish Studied

A recent study has pointed out that fish that were swimming in water which had remnants of Prozac, an antidepressant, became anxious and aggressive. Some even tried to destroy their mates. The study tried to evaluate the effects of environmental exposure to medication and how it could influence the behavior of fathead minnows.

Researchers said that the human body is incapable of absorbing the medicines fully so some part is excreted in the urine. This can affect wild life as water treatment centers are not able to completely remove these contaminants from water. The study found that minnows exhibited alterations in their reproductive behavior even with reduced concentrations of Prozac dissolved in water.

This led the fish to spend more time in their nest than they did interacting with the females. At elevated concentrations, the behavior changed from disinterest to aggression. The male fish were seen attacking and even killing their mates.

Such effects could also be seen in humans who take the antidepressant and some of the well-known side effects could be a reduction in sex drive and trouble with orgasm.



Source-Medindia