Abstract

Objectives: Excessive fluoride ingestion causes a disease known as fluorosis which prevailing in more than 50 countries and regions. A large number of studies have shown that excess fluoride can cause human reproductive system damage. Therefore, we investigated the possible association between estrogen (E2) level with fluorosis and the role of selenium in fluorosis women in Shaanxi province.

Methods: Ziyang County of Ankang City has higher environmental selenium level, while the Hanbin district of Ankang City has lower environmental selenium level. Ziyang County and Hanbin district of Ankang City were both the serious fluorosis areas. The fluorosis women patients from different environmental selenium level area and the healthy volunteer were divided into three groups: “High Se + F group” (n= 50), “High F group” (n= 50) and “Control group” (n= 46). All women were among 20 to 49 years old. E2 level was examined by ELISA kit. The selenium level in hair was tested with Atomic Fluorescence Spectrophotometer.

Results: The E2 was significantly lower in “High F group” than that in “High Se + F group” and “Control group” (27.11±1.91, 60.22±6.95, 63.57±2.24 pg/ml, respectively). The mean for total Se concentration in hair was different: 3.67±0.16 ug/g in “High Se + F group”, 0.99±0.09 ug/g in “High F group” and 0.66±0.13 ug/g in “Control group”,
respectively.

Conclusions: The E2 level in fluorosis women was lower than that in control group women, while the Se has the protective effect against fluoride by increasing the E2 level. Women lived in fluorosis areas should intake more Se to prevent ovarian function damage induced by fluoride.

This research was supported by National Natural Science Foundation (No. 81172610), Huimin projects of Ministry of Science and Technology (No. 2012GS610101), Science and technology projects of Shaanxi province health department (No. 2014ZD072) and projects of Shaanxi Province Administration of traditional Chinese Medicine (13-LC085).

• Related Studies :

  • The influence of excess fluorine intake in the drinking water on reproductive efficiency in bovines

    Observations were made over four breeding seasons to determine the effect of excessive intake of fluorine in the drinking water on the breeding efficiency of cattle. Fifty Afrikaner heifers, maintained under ordinary ranching conditions, were divided into five groups which received 5, 8 and 12 ppm fluorine respectively in the drinking

  • Exposure to Fluoride From in Utero to Puberty Alters Gonadal Structure and Steroid Hormone Expression in Offspring Rats.

    The reproductive toxicity of fluoride has been proven by a large number of studies. While the underlying mechanism of reproductive toxicity during pregnancy is still unclear. Hence, in this study, we investigated the effects of fluoride exposure on ovarian and testicular steroid hormone synthesis in young and adult rat offspring.

  • Estrogen deficiency aggravates fluoride-induced small intestinal mucosa damage and junctional complexes proteins expression disorder in rats.

    To investigate the effect of estrogen deficiency on the small intestinal mucosal barrier induced by fluoride (F), F exposure models of ovariectomy (OVX) rats (surgically removed ovaries) and non-OVX rats (normal condition) were established by adding sodium fluoride (NaF) (0, 25, 50, and 100 mg/L, calculated by F ion) in drinking

  • Sodium fluoride activates ERK and JNK via induction of oxidative stress to promote apoptosis and impairs ovarian function in rats

    The toxicity of sodium fluoride (NaF) to female fertility is currently recognized; however, the mechanisms are unclear. Previously, we reported a reduction in successful pregnancy rates, ovarian atrophy and dysfunction following exposure to NaF. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms. Female Sprague-Dawley rats (10

  • Fluoride Impairs Ovary Development by Affecting Oogenesis and Inducing Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis in Female Zebrafish (Danio Rerio).

    Highlights Fluoride exposure decreased FSH, LH and VTG levels in ovary of zebrafish. Fluoride exposure altered the transcriptional profiles of oogenesis-related genes. Fluoride exposure increased ROS production in ovary of zebrafish. Fluoride exposure induces oxidative stress in ovary of zebrafish. Fluoride exposure induces apoptosis through both extrinsic and intrinsic

• Related FAN Content :

  • Fluoride's Effect on the Male Reproductive System -- In Vitro Studies

    Carefully controlled in vitro studies have found that direct exposure of fluoride to the testes or semen inhibits testosterone production and damages sperm. While researchers have known since the 1930s that mega concentrations of fluoride can completely (but reversibly) immobilize sperm, it was not until the 1970s and 1980s that researchers found that relatively modest concentrations of fluoride could cause damage prior to complete immobilization.

  • Fluoride's Effect on Male Reproductive System -- The "Sprando/Collins" Anomaly

    In contrast to the findings of over 60 animal studies from other research teams, a series of studies by FDA researchers Sprando & Collins reported virtually no evidence of reproductive toxicity among animals treated with very high levels of fluoride exposure. The reasons for this discrepancy remains unclear. Excerpts from Sprando/Collins' Studies: "This study

  • Fluoride's Effect on Male Reproductive System: Animal Studies

    Over 60 studies on animals (including rats, mice, roosters, and rabbits) have found that fluoride adversely impacts the male reproductive system. These studies have repeatedly found the following effects: (1) decreases in testosterone levels; (2) reduced sperm motility; (3) altered sperm morphology; (4) reduced sperm quantity; (5) increased oxidative stress; (6) and reduced capacity to breed.

  • Fluoride's Effect on Male Reproductive System - Human Studies

    Consistent with in vitro and animal research, studies of human populations have reported associations between fluoride exposure and damage to the male reproductive system. Most notably, a scientist at the Food & Drug Administration reported in 1994 that populations in the United States with more than 3 ppm fluoride in their water had lower "total fertility rates" than populations with lower fluoride levels.