Fluoride-induced disruption of reproductive hormones in men.
Fluoride-induced reproductive effects have been reported in experimental models and in humans. However, these effects were found in heavily exposed scenarios. Therefore, in this work our objective was to study reproductive parameters in a population exposed to fluoride at doses of 3-27 mg/day (high-fluoride-exposed group-HFEG). Urinary fluoride levels, semen parameters, and reproductive hormones in serum (LH, FSH, estradiol, prolactin, inhibin-B, free and total testosterone) were measured. Results were compared with a group of individuals exposed to fluoride at lower doses: 2-13 mg/day (low-fluoride-exposed group-LFEG). A significant increase in FSH (P<0.05) and a reduction of inhibin-B, free testosterone, and prolactin in serum (P<0.05) were noticed in the HFEG. When HFEG was compared to LFEG, a decreased sensitivity was found in the FSH response to inhibin-B (P<0.05). A significant negative partial correlation was observed between urinary fluoride and serum levels of inhibin-B (r=-0.333, P=0.028) in LFEG. Furthermore, a significant partial correlation was observed between a chronic exposure index for fluoride and the serum concentrations of inhibin-B (r=-0.163, P=0.037) in HFEG. No abnormalities were found in the semen parameters studied in the present work, neither in the HFEG, nor in the LFEG. The results obtained indicate that a fluoride exposure of 3-27 mg/day induces a subclinical reproductive effect that can be explained by a fluoride-induced toxic effect in both Sertoli cells and gonadotrophs.
Ortiz-Pérez
Deogracias
D
Laboratorio de Toxicología Ambiental, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Av. Venustiano Carranza 2405, Col. Lomas Filtros, CP 78210, San Luis Potosí, Mexico.
Rodríguez-Martínez
Manuel
M
Martínez
Flavio
F
Borja-Aburto
Víctor H
VH
Castelo
Julio
J
Grimaldo
Juana I
JI
de la Cruz
Esperanza
E
Carrizales
Leticia
L
Díaz-Barriga
Fernando
F
D000328:Adult; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005459:Fluorides / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000652:urine; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007265:Inhibins / Q000097:blood; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood; D012044:Regression Analysis; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; C422364:inhibin B; D013739:Testosterone; D004958:Estradiol; D007265:Inhibins; D011388:Prolactin; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D005459:Fluorides