Abstract

Fifty four Wistar male rats were randomly divided into three groups, drinking water containing 0.6 mg/L (control group), 100 mg/L, and 200 mg/L sodium fluoride, respectively. Rats were killed at the second, fourth and sixth weeks after experiment initiation, respectively. The levels of serum testosterone, testis cholesterol, and hepatic tissue cholesterol were determined. Results showed that the serum testosterone level had decreased with time in rats drinking water containing 100 and 200 mg/L fluoride. While testis cholesterol level did not change, it was significantly decreased in the liver at the fourth and sixth week when compared with the control group. Results suggest that fluoride may have some harmful effects on the reproductive system in male rats.