Shrimps exposed to one of the main active substances of antidepressants, fluoxetine, are five times more likely to exhibit suicidal behavior than those living in a clean environment, according to a study by scientists from the University of Portsmouth, published in Science magazine and technology portals.
According to Science, the authors of the study, Yasmin Guler and Alex T. Ford, gave the shrimp species Echinogammarus marinus fluoxetine, which is part of the widely used antidepressant Prozac, and some pain relievers such as Diclofenac. Under her influence, the shrimp completely changed their behavior. Until now, they stayed away from the light, as predatory fish and fishermen could easily catch them in clear, well-lit waters – this is how a control group of these crustaceans behaved. After administration of fluoxetine, the shrimp searched for light and headed for it, which meant suicide for them. The effects of fluoxetine were already visible at a concentration of 100ng / l. These behaviors, according to the authors of the study, indicate that fluoxetine seriously damages the nervous system of crustaceans.
This substance is not decomposed and can get into water together with biological sewage. As study co-author Alex T. Ford told io9 tech portal, shrimp accumulate in estuaries, leaving them exposed to frequent contact with biological contaminants – including fluoxetine. They are themselves one of the most important foods for fish – in which meat the concentration of fluoxetine inevitably rises – and of humans as the staple ingredient in what are considered healthy seafood dishes. Meanwhile, as the authors of the research note, fluoxetine delivered in continuous doses may be dangerous, for example, to pregnant women, contributing to allergies, hormonal disorders or even damage in the womb (PAP).