en Neurophysiology/Pharmacology Neurophysiology/Pharmacology Experimental research article Experimental research article <span style="font-size:12px;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><strong>Introduction:</strong> Fluoxetine (FLX) is a commonly used antidepressant drug prescribed to treat psychiatric disturbances. According to the findings of several studies, the present work is designed to assess the influences of treating FLX during adolescence on reproductive hormone levels, ovarian and testicular tissues, and VASA gene expression in both sexes.<br /> <strong>Methods:</strong> FLX was administered (5mg/kg/day, gavage) during adolescence (on postnatal days 21-60). After the treatment duration, blood samples were collected to measure sexual hormones. Ovarian and testicular samples were taken for histological and PCR studies.<br /> <strong>Results:</strong> Our results indicated that FLX decreased the level of progesterone in female rats, while the level of estradiol was not changed through FLX administration. The testosterone level was decreased in FLX-treated male animals. FLX also decreased the VASA gene expression in both sexes, but this effect was significant in female rats. Besides, our findings showed the potency of FLX in inducing tissue damage, degeneration of follicles, and hypospermatogenesis.<br /> <strong>Conclusion: </strong>Therefore, treatment with FLX during adolescence leads to a decrease in reproductive activities during adolescence.</span></span> Fluoxetine,Sexual hormones,VASA gene,Sex differences,Adolescence 98 109 http://ppj.phypha.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-950-4&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Farshid Sadegzadeh Farshidsadegzadehf.s@gmail.com 3200319475328460039112 3200319475328460039112 No Students Research Committee, School of Medicine, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran Nona Sakhaie nonasakhaie@yahoo.com 3200319475328460039113 3200319475328460039113 No 1Students Research Committee, School of Medicine, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran Shokofeh Banaei s.banaei75@gmail.com 3200319475328460039114 3200319475328460039114 No Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran Hakimeh Saadati h.saadati@arums.ac.ir 3200319475328460039115 0000000189579132 Yes Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran