FLUOXETINE: ENVIRONMENT

FLUOXETINE: ENVIRONMENT

NEWS:  Pharmaceutical pollutants altering fish behaviour, reproductive patterns and life history: Study

 

WHAT’S IN THE NEWS?

At low concentrations, fluoxetine reduced activity levels and increased refuge-seeking behaviour in male guppy fish

 

About the Study:

  • Focus: The study centered on male guppies to assess the impact of fluoxetine on aquatic life.
  • Key Findings:
  • Decreased activity and increased refuge-seeking behaviour in male guppies exposed to fluoxetine.
  • Changes in body condition, including enlarged reproductive organs and lower sperm velocity, potentially affecting mating success.
  • Reduced behavioural diversity, leading to rigid patterns that could limit adaptation to changing environments.
  • Observation that more active fish were less healthy in polluted environments, with larger reproductive organs correlated with lower-quality sperm.

About Guppies:

  • Common Names: Million fish or rainbow fish.
  • Popularity: One of the most popular freshwater aquarium species.
  • Reproduction: Give birth to free-swimming young, not eggs.
  • Native Regions: Barbados, Brazil, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela.
  • Environmental Impact: Introduced to various countries for mosquito control but negatively impacts native fish populations.
  • Habitat Tolerance: Can tolerate brackish water and some brackish environments.
  • Physical Attributes: Males measure 1.5-4 cm, females 3-7 cm; exhibit sexual dimorphism with males displaying varied colours.
  • Research Use: Model organism in ecology, evolution, and behavioural studies.
  • Conservation Status: IUCN status is Least Concern.

About Fluoxetine:

  • Usage: Treats depression, anxiety disorders, and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD).
  • Class: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
  • Mechanism: Increases serotonin levels by blocking its reuptake in the brain.
  • Efficacy: Found to reduce symptoms of depression in 60% of participants in a study.

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