Abstract

Various authors have studied the effect of fluoride ion upon mammalian cells using many different biological end-points, of:which inhibition of the function of specific cellular enzymes, survival of cell reproductive capacity, production of abnormalities of cell division and alteration in the rate of cell proliferation are a representative sample. In this review the minimum fluoride ion concentration at which biological effects are detect- able are compared for each of these end-points. The usefulness of such in vitro studies for evaluation of potential whole-animal toxicity is discussed.