title: The toxic effects of sodium fluoride on the reproductive system of male rats.
abstract: The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of fluoride toxicity on the reproductive system of male rats. Sexually mature male Wistar rats were exposed to 2, 4, and 6 ppm sodium fluoride in their drinking water for 6 months ad libitum. Sperm motility and density in cauda epididymis were assessed. Biochemical and histological analysis were performed in reproductive organs. Fluoride treatment brought about a significant decrease in the weight of testis, epididymis, and ventral prostate. The sperm motility and density were significantly reduced. There was a marked reduction in the number of primary spermatocyte, secondary spermatocyte, and spermatids. The Sertoli cell counts and their cross sectional surface areas were significantly decreased. The Leydig cell nuclear area and the number of mature Leydig cells were also significantly decreased. The protein content of the testis and epididymis were significantly reduced. Fructose in the seminal vesicles and cholesterol in testes were increased significantly. In conclusion, sodium fluoride administrated in drinking water of 2, 4, and 6 ppm concentration for 6 months to male rats adversely affected their fertility and reproductive system.
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology, Center for Advanced Studies, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur, India.
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.forename: T I
authors.initials: TI
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Agrawal
authors.forename: J B S
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Kachhawa
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002452:Cell Count; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000378:metabolism; D005632:Fructose / Q000378:metabolism; D005837:Genitalia, Male / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D011506:Proteins / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012969:Sodium Fluoride / Q000633:toxicity*; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects; D013087:Spermatids / Q000187:drug effects; D013090:Spermatocytes / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D011506:Proteins; D005632:Fructose; D012969:Sodium Fluoride; D002784:Cholesterol