Effect of duration of fluoride exposure on the reproductive system in male rabbits

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Fluorosis has become an endemic problem worldwide. Fluoride has its effect on various organs, including the reproductive system, although there are controversial reports over it. Thus, the present study was designed to study the effect of sodium fluoride (NaF) exposure for different durations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 30 healthy rabbits were divided into three equal groups. Group I was fed on a standard diet for 30 days, Group II was fed on sodium fluoride (20 mg/kg body weight) for 30 days and Group III was fed on sodium fluoride (20 mg/kg body weight) for 60 days. Sperm count, motility, progressive motility and weight of testis and epididymis were measured and compared with the control group. RESULTS: We observed that in the group exposed to NaF for 30 days (Group II), there was a significant decrease in all the parameters except the testicular weight and in the group on exposure of 60 days (Group III), there was a significant decrease in all the parameters when compared with the control group (Group I). On applying the Tukey post-hoc test between Groups II and III, we observed that there was a significant decrease in the sperm count while the other parameters showed a non-significant decrease. Testicular histology was confirmatory for the above findings. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrates that fluoride hampers the reproductive functions of male rabbits and is proportional to the duration of fluoride exposure.