Abstract

Aim Depressive disorders affect around 10% of pregnant women. Antidepressant use during pregnancy is important for maternal and fetal health. Although studies link antidepressants to risks of spontaneous abortion, preterm labor, and postpartum hemorrhage, their direct effects on the myometrium remain unclear. This study investigated the effects of sertraline and escitalopram on spontaneous and oxytocin-induced contractions in rat myometrial tissue.
Materials and Methods 7 pregnant and 14 non-pregnant female Sprague-Dawley rats were used in the study. Uterine strips measuring 1X0.2X0.2 centimeters were obtained from rats. Female rats were decapitated on day 18-20 of gestation. In oxytocin-induced and spontaneous contractions, sertraline and escitalopram were added cumulatively at concentrations of 1 μM, 3 μM and 10 μM in pregnant and non-pregnant rat groups and AUC (Area Under the Curve), frequency and amplitude values were recorded.
Results Sertraline and escitalopram at 1 μM concentrations did not significantly change the AUC, frequency and amplitude of oxytocin-induced and spontaneous contractions in rats (p

Key words: Myometrium; Pregnancy Complications; Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; Uterine Contractions