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We investigated the effects of minor and major tranquilizers on ovarian and adrenal aldo-keto reductase activity towards five substrates in relation to ovulation in mature cycling rats. Nitrazepam (NZP) did not alter ovarian and adrenal weights or body weight, although ovulation was inhibited at 5 and 10 mg/kg. NZP decreased ovarian 13,14-dihydro-15-ketoprostaglandin F 2α (15KD-PGF 2α ) and 4-benzoylpyridine (4BP) reducing activities. None of the doses of zopiclone (ZPC) influenced uterine and adrenal weights or body weight, but it increased ovarian weight at 10 mg/kg. No significant effects of ZPC on ovarian aldo-keto reductase activity were observed. NZP had inhibitory effects on adrenal aldo-keto reductase activity, whereas ZPC had a stimulatory effect. Chlorpromazine (CPZ) did not alter ovarian or adrenal weight, whereas the estrous cycles were abolished at 5 and 10 mg/kg. Reserpine (RSP) decreased ovarian weight and completely inhibited ovulation at 5 and 10 mg/kg, but it increased adrenal weight. Both CPZ and RSP decreased, dose dependently, ovarian aldo-keto reductase activity towards five substrates in agreement with the inhibition of ovulation. On the other hand, differences were found between the effects of CPZ and RSP on adrenal aldo-keto reductase activity. CPZ significantly increased 4BP reducing activity at 5 and 10 mg/kg, although no significant changes were observed in the other four reducing activities. RSP decreased 15KD-PGF 2α reducing activity in a dose-dependent manner, whereas the other four activities did not change.