Effect of repeated administration of antidepressant drugs on the serum and brain concentration of testosterone and its metabolites

Pol J Pharmacol Pharm. 1987 Nov-Dec;39(6):683-9.

Abstract

A repeated oral treatment (twice daily, for 21 consecutive days) with 10 mg/kg of antidepressants imipramine, amitriptyline, citalopram, mianserin affects the level of testosterone and its metabolites (5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone and estradiol-17 beta) in the serum and brain structures (cerebral cortex, hypothalamus). Citalopram and mianserin increased significantly the serum testosterone concentration, while imipramine and amitriptyline reduced the concentration of 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone. In the cerebral cortex a reduction in 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone after imipramine, and in the hypothalamus a decrease in testosterone level after amitriptyline were observed. None of the investigated drugs influenced estradiol-17 beta concentration in the serum or in the brain.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amitriptyline / administration & dosage
  • Amitriptyline / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Antidepressive Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antidepressive Agents / pharmacology*
  • Brain / metabolism*
  • Chromatography, Gel
  • Citalopram / administration & dosage
  • Citalopram / pharmacology
  • Dihydrotestosterone / metabolism
  • Estradiol / metabolism
  • Imipramine / administration & dosage
  • Imipramine / pharmacology
  • Male
  • Mianserin / administration & dosage
  • Mianserin / pharmacology
  • Radioimmunoassay
  • Rats
  • Rats, Inbred Strains
  • Testosterone / blood
  • Testosterone / metabolism*

Substances

  • Antidepressive Agents
  • Dihydrotestosterone
  • Citalopram
  • Amitriptyline
  • Mianserin
  • Testosterone
  • Estradiol
  • Imipramine