.

 

 

Medical Science Research 1997; 25 (2): 97-100.

Fluoride toxicity in the testis and cauda epididymis of guinea pig and reversal by ascorbate.

Chinoy NJ, Patel BC, Patel DK, Sharma AK.

Author Address: Zoology Dep., Sch. Sciences, Gujarat Univ., Ahmedabad 380009, India.

Effects of sodium fluoride (NaF) (30 mg kg-1 body weight) and ascorbic acid ingestion along with sodium fluoride for 30 days each were studied to evaluate its possible role as an ameliorative agent on functions of reproductive organs and spermatozoa of the fluorotic guinea pig. The cauda epididymal spermatozoa were highly sensitive to the effects of sodium fluoride as their structural and metabolic alterations led to marked decreases in their motility, live:dead ratio and sperm mitochondrial activity index but increases in sperm abnormalities and alterations in sperm membrane phospholipids, particularly phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidyl serine. The activities of ATPase and succinate dehydrogenase as well as glutathione levels were decreased in testis by sodium fluoride treatment, revealing disturbances in its metabolism. However, testicular cholesterol was not affected. Ingestion of ascorbic acid led to the enhancement in the levels of these parameters almost to con... [ABSTRACTED TRUNCATED ON TOXNET]

************

Return to Fluoride Bibliography