title: Subchronic treatment with fluoxetine attenuates the proerectile effect of Aspidosperma ulei Markgr (Apocyanaceae).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the ability of acute or chronic treatment with fluoxetine to alter the proerectile effect of Aspidosperma ulei alkaloid-rich fraction (F3-5).
  
  
  METHODS
  In the first series of experiments, three groups of mice received either a single intraperitoneal injection of vehicle, F3-5 (25 mg/kg) or fluoxetine (10 mg/kg) + F3-5. Three behavioral responses were counted over a period of 30 min: erection, erection-like response and genital grooming. In a second series of experiments, animals treated for 13 days with fluoxetine or fluoxetine + F3-5 were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A. ulei has been suggested to have proerectile effect in mice. Subchronic (13-d) treatment with fluoxetine resulted in a reduction in the number erections in F3-5-treated mice.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sexual dysfunction associated with antidepressant treatment continues to be a major compliance issue for antidepressant therapy. Acute administration of fluoxetine resulted in a near total reversal of the proerectile effect of F3-5.
authors.affiliation: Northeast Network on Biotechnology, Vice-Rectory of Research and Post-Graduation, University of Fortaleza, Brazil.
authors.forename: Adriana Rolim
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Campos
authors.forename: Daniel Esdras
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: de Andrade Uchôa
authors.forename: Edilberto Silveira
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Rocha
authors.forename: José Galberto
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Martins da Costa
authors.forename: Vietla Satyanarayana
authors.initials: VS
authors.lastname: Rao