Abstract

Ninety-six sexually mature male Wistar rats were divided randomly into four groups of twenty-four rats. In experiments to assess effects of sodium fluoride and sulfur dioxide on their sperm motility and serum testosterone (T), one group of rats was left untreated as controls, and the other three groups were administered, respectively, for eight consecutive weeks, 100 mg NaF/L (45 mg F – /L) in their drinking water, sulfur dioxide in ambient air (15 ppm SO 2 , 4 hr/day), or were exposed to both NaF and SO 2 together. In comparison with the control group, the ratio of testis weight to body weight increased in the NaF+SO 2 group at week 4, and the mean values of sperm motility were significantly lower in the NaF group and in the SO 2 group, and even more so in the NaF+SO 2 group over the entire eight-week period. The serum T level in the NaF+SO 2 group was significantly increased at week 2 and then markedly decreased at week 4 and 8. Similar changes were also observed in the SO 2 group. Sperm motility and serum T in rats were thus affected to some extent by NaF or SO 2 but were most drastically affected by NaF and SO 2 together. The resulting changes in the testis tissue and serum T concentration may therefore be connected with the low sperm motility in these rats.

• Related Studies :

  • Effects of fluoride and aluminum on expressions of StAR and P450scc of related steroidogenesis in guinea pigs' testis

    Highlights F and Al changed histological structure of testes, reduced sperm quality. F and Al reduced StAR and P450scc expressions and level of serum testosterone. F toxicity is stronger than Al and Al weakened the toxicity of F. Al had antagonism effects on F. A lot of studies have shown

  • Amelioration of fluoride toxicity in rats through vitamins (C, D) and calcium

    The healthy, adult male rats (Rattus norvegicus) were treated with fluoride water (F.W.+5.8 ppm), F.W.+ ascorbic acid and F.W. + vitamins (C, D) and Ca+2 for 60 days. Fluoride water ingestion to rats for 60 days resulted in significant reduction of seminal vesicle weight, sperm motility and sperm density of

  • Toxic effects of sodium fluoride on reproductive function in male mice

    To investigate the effects and possible mechanisms of the action of fluoride on testis cell cycle and cell apoptosis in male mice, sexually mature male Kunming mice were exposed to 50, 100, 200, and 300 mg NaF/L in their drinking water for 8 weeks. At the end of the exposure

  • Suppression of male reproduction in rats after exposure to sodium fluoride during early stages of development

    Sodium fluoride (NaF), a widespread natural pollutant was given to sperm-positive female rats throughout gestation and lactation at a dose of 4.5 and 9.0 ppm via drinking water. The neonates were allowed to grow up to 90 days on tap water, and then sperm parameters, testicular steroidogenic marker enzyme activity

  • Fluoride exposure changed the structure and the expressions of Y chromosome related genes in testes of mice

    It is known that during spermatogenesis, pluripotent germ cells differentiate to become efficient delivery vehicles to the oocyte of paternal DNA, and the process is easily damaged by external poison. In this study, the effects of fluoride on the body weight, fluoride content in femur, testosterone levels in serum and testis, sperm quality, and

• Related FAN Content :

  • 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 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 - 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.