Recent research from Northwestern University reveals that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), commonly known for treating depression, can enhance egg quality in aging female roundworms (C. elegans). The study found that these antidepressants significantly improved the viability of egg cells, reducing embryonic death and chromosomal abnormalities by over twofold. This treatment resulted in visibly healthier egg cells, which appeared plumper and more robust compared to the typical small, misshapen versions seen in older worms. The researchers conducted similar experiments with fruit flies, noting comparable results. The lead researcher, Ilya Ruvinsky, emphasized the potential implications for human infertility treatments, suggesting that SSRIs could help combat reproductive aging by improving egg quality. The study also builds on prior discoveries that male pheromones boost egg health in female worms, revealing a direct link between serotonin signaling and reproductive resource allocation. This research underscores the complex interactions between neurotransmitters and fertility across species and opens avenues for pharmacological interventions to prolong fertility. While there is still a long way to go before applying these findings to human fertility clinics, the study highlights significant progress in understanding reproductive health.
