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Effect of high fluoride on the reproductive performance of the male ratAbstract
The effect of high fluoride intake (100 and 200 ppm) in the ration was studied in male rats. After sixty days of treatment, rats showed a decrease in the mean diameter of the seminiferous tubules and the percentage of the tubules containing spermatozoa and an increase in the thickness of the peritubular membranes. The effect was more prominent with the higher dose of fluoride. Serum testosterone level in the rats received 200 ppm fluoride showed a sharp decrease, whereas in those treated with 100 ppm did not differ significantly from the control. The fertility performance of treated rats was reduced, and the results revealed a reduction in the number of pregnant females and newborns of both treated groups. Lowest dose of fluoride had a similar but less marked effect on the fertility performance than the higher dose. It is concluded that the high fluoride intake causes a decline in the reproductive performance of the adult male rats, although the clinical signs in the teeth are absent.