TOXIC EFFECTS OF FLUORIDE ON REPRODUCTIVE ABILITY IN

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TOXIC EFFECTS OF FLUORIDE ON REPRODUCTIVE ABILITY IN
MALE RATS: SPERM MOTILITY, OXIDATIVE STRESS,
CELL CYCLE, AND TESTICULAR APOPTOSIS
Junling Wang,a,b Yingmei Zhang,a Haojun Zhang,c Ke Zhang,b Zhewen Zhang,d Jin Lib
Lanzhou, China
SUMMARY: To investigate the effects of sodium fluoride (NaF) on sperm motility,
oxidative stress, and apoptosis in the testes, male Wistar rats were exposed to 1.0,
2.0, and 3.0 mg NaF/kg bw/day by intragastric gavage for 90 days. Sperm motility was
significantly inhibited, especially at the lower F intake level. Significant increases in
oxidative stress with elevated malondialdehyde occurred in the 1.0 mg NaF group
and increased hydrogen peroxide in the 2.0 mg NaF group. Compared with the
control group without NaF, the cell percentage in G0/G1 phase increased
significantly, whereas it decreased significantly in S phase. On the other hand, the
percentage of cells in G2/M phase was similar to that of the control. In the 2.0 and 3.0
mg NaF groups, a significant increase in testicular cell apoptosis was observed.
Thus, especially at a comparatively lower level of exposure, F exhibits toxic effects
on reproductive function in the form of decreased sperm motility, enhanced oxidative
stress, and increased apoptosis, although the latter does not appear to be directly
connected with the increased level of oxidative stress.
Keywords: Fluoride and reproduction; Male rat reproductivity; Oxidative stress; Rat testis; Sperm
motility; Testicular apoptosis.