Oxytocin involvement in SSRI-induced delayed ejaculation: a review of animal studies.
de Jong TR, Veening JG, Olivier B, Waldinger MD.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) differ in the severity of induced ejaculation delay. Various studies indicate that oxytocin is involved in sexual behavior.
AIM: To review and evaluate the involvement of oxytocin in SSRI-induced ejaculation delay.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Oxytocine release, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) neurotransmission, and desensitization of 5-HT(1A) receptors.
METHODS: A review and critical analysis of animal studies investigating the interaction of serotonergic and oxytocinergic neurotransmission in relation to the ejaculation process.
RESULTS: Although acute treatment with the SSRIs fluoxetine and paroxetine immediately causes increased serotonin levels, delayed ejaculation does not occur. The increased serotonin levels induce oxytocin release via activation of 5-HT(1A) receptors, and this might compensate for the inhibitory actions of serotonin on sexual behavior. Chronic treatment with fluoxetine and paroxetine desensitizes 5-HT(1A) receptors on oxytocin neurons, and that might in part determine the onset of delayed ejaculation. Desensitization of 5-HT(1A) receptors is less strong following chronic treatment with the SSRIs fluvoxamine or citalopram, which may attenuate the degree of delayed ejaculation.
CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary data suggest that the severity of chronic SSRI treatment-induced delayed ejaculation and the differences between the various SSRIs in inducing ejaculation delay is related to gradual desensitization of 5-HT(1A) receptors on oxytocin neurons.
Comment in J Sex Med. 2007 Sep;4(5):1518; author reply 1519.
PMID:17233773[PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
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