FLUORIDE TOXICITY ON RAT TESTIS AND CAUDA EPIDIDYMAL TISSUE COMPONENTS AND ITS REVERSAL

Abstract

SUMMARY: The toxic effects were evaluated of sodium fluoride (NaF) ingestion on the physiology of tissue components of testis and epididymis of adult, male albino rats, and the possible reversal of the effects by use of some antidotes. The results revealed that the testis and cauda epididymal proteins were altered, with disappearance of some proteins and induction of some new ones. This is the first report of such changes. Phosphatidyicholine and sphingomyelin remained unaltered during NaF ingestion, but a significant decrease occurred in phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylinositol. Significantly low levels of glutathione after 30 days of treatment were also obtained. On comparing the alterations in protein profile, phospholipids and glutathione in both tissues, it was evident that the protein profile was disturbed more in testis than in cauda epididymis, whereas phospholipids and glutathione levels were affected more in cauda than in testis. The investigations into reversibility showed that ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and calcium could ameliorate fluoride toxicity.