Impact of antenatal selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor exposure on pregnancy outcomes in mice.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigates fluoxetine (FLX) exposure as an etiology for altered gestational length and adverse pregnancy outcomes.


METHODS
Two experiments were performed exposing mice to drinking water (H(2)O) or H(2)O+FLX. Primary outcomes included gestational length, litter size, and live birth rate. In experiment 1, time-mated dams were monitored for spontaneous birth, and gestational length was calculated. In experiment 2, dams were dissected on day 14 to verify litter size and qualities of embryo implantation.


RESULTS
There was no difference in gestational length between H(2)O dams (480.7 ± 13.2 hours) and H(2)O+FLX dams (483.5 ± 10.1 hours), P = .70. Mean litter size was decreased in H(2)O+FLX dams (4.1 ± 1.3/litter) compared to H(2)O dams (5.5 ± 1.9/litter), P = .04. H(2)O+FLX dams were less likely to have live births (25.4%) compared to H(2)O dams (49.3%), P = .01.


CONCLUSIONS
Antenatal FLX exposure did not statistically alter gestational length, but did affect litter size and spontaneous loss in mice. This warrants further investigation.
Bauer
Samuel
S
Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA. stb2119@columbia.edu
Monk
Catherine
C
Ansorge
Mark
M
Gyamfi
Cynthia
C
Myers
Michael
M
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D001723:Birth Rate; D005260:Female; D005473:Fluoxetine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008098:Litter Size; D050498:Live Birth; D051379:Mice; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*
D005473:Fluoxetine; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors